We started a school farm in 2017 with some chickens - during 2018 we secured some funding from the PTA we were able to make a more permanent base. We have one small stable in which our goats live, a hard standing, a small paddock with high stock fencing, 2 ponds we have built from a large old tractor tyre and redundant planter, a shed for feed which is quite old and in need of some tlc. We have a large run attached our coup which has a corrugated plastic roof – we have created a water feature inside of it to ensure that the duck pool in the run has a regular change of water and have planted inside the run for enrichment for the animals. Over the Christmas period a group of volunteers gave it a re-vamp and this has enabled us to increase our chicken and duck population and introduce 3 pygmy goats.

The farm is accessible to all children within the school and we extend this to local pre-schools, and where possible the farm including school allotment which we plan to develop into a sensory garden are included in the school curriculum, sustainability plan and eco plan – we are an eco school.

Farm club runs four times a week where children learn about animal husbandry and have time to just enjoy the animals. We also do planting, crafting and building to support the farm. We are looking to develop a lunchtime groups for those children that cannot come to after school club and also weekend activities for parents and children.
Our wrap around childcare provision open up the farm in the mornings, our chickens and ducks free range during the day and put them away at night. They replenish food and water, sweep and tidy, fill hay nets, check for eggs and make sure the animals are well and happy.

There are 20 places for Farm Club and there is a waiting list.
Wrap Around Child Care – 60 children access the farm through this weekly.

SEN and children on the pastoral register can access the farm during brain breaks or as a more therapeutic aspect to their timetable. A number of children with ECHPs are also accessing the benefits of the farm.

We plan to develop an outside classroom that would link Forest School and Farm so that whole classes, smaller groups can access the outdoors all year round.