Access to Farms Training
The Countryside Educational Visits Accreditation Scheme (CEVAS)The ATF scheme is in two parts: it both accredits farm staff who are working with school groups and endorses the farm premises as being appropriate for school visits.
The Open College Network accredited training is the first part of CEVAS - the accreditation of the person working with school groups. For further information a CEVAS brochure is available to download below in PDF format. Please note the charges are now £100 (plus VAT) each for training and farm accreditation.
CEVAS flierWhat does CEVAS training involve?
Access To Farms (ATF) is offering training to farmers who host visits from school parties. On completion this will result in a qualification from the Open College Network (OCN), and ATF will provide the farmer or education staff with a logo and certificate of achievement to use for promotional purposes.
There are two one-day training sessions based on three units. These are:
1. Preparing for farm visits
2. Food, farming and the countryside in the National Curriculum
3. Talking to pupils, students and teachers
In between the sessions, farmers are asked to gather evidence to support the things being learnt. It might include a leaflet you have made or a sample risk assessment. Some farmers will already have the evidence while others will be helped to produce them during the course.
What other help is available?
A folder of course materials containing examples of evidence, information sheets and CDs from which to produce templates etc will be provided to the farmers. You can also access this information and more through the Growing Schools and FACE (Farming And Countryside Education) websites. Individual ATF partner organisations will also offer advice and support.
Booking your place
PLEASE NOTE: If you would like to be notified when new courses are arranged please send an email with your contact details to: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
General papers for CEVAS courses: download and complete both the following forms and send them with a cheque (payable to 'FACE') to: Ian Egginton-Metters, Access To Farms, c/o 32 Mendip Drive, Frome, Somerset BA11 2HT.
CEVAS training needs assessment form
General enquiries can also be addressed to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or phone 01373 302204
Courses currently available
NB CEVAS courses are now listed at www.face-online.org.uk/cevas
Setting up educational visits: an option to find out what is involved
- Ever thought about hosting occassional visits to your farm from schools or other groups?
- Would you like to find out what visits might involve without committing at this stage?
- Would you like to know more about CEVAS training, but don't want to sign up to a course at the present time?
These events events are designed to give an overview of the CEVAS course and give you tips and help on how to set up one-off visits to your farm with minimal difficulty. The trainer will explain how to set up your farm to take a visit, what schools will be looking for and how you and your farm meets their requirements, the necessary health and safety considerations, and how to make a visit effective and fun too!
Events are being planned across the country and in Wales. If you would like to be put on a mailing list to be notified when an event is organised in your are, please send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with your full contact details.
Access to Farms partner organisations are:
Country Land & Business Association (CLA), Countryside Foundation for Education (CFE), Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF), Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), Farming And Countryside Education (FACE), Farms for Schools (FFS), Federation of City Farms and Community Gardens (FCFCG), Groundwork UK (GW), Linking Environment And Farming (LEAF), National Farmers Union (NFU), National Farm Attractions Network (NFAN), Natural England (NE), The Country Trust (CT), The National Trust (NT), The Soil Association (SA).
