The farmyard and adventure playground an educational resource

Pre-booked school groups can choose from a variety of National Curriculum linked options. These can be centred in the farmyard itself or it can be used as the base from which to explore the surrounding woods and park. Options will be led by farmyard staff and are tailored to meet individual requirements. See booking form for available packages and prices. Our new education room with audio visual equipment, tiered seating, wheelchair access and an animal handling area can be booked by groups visiting the farmyard.

School visits programme
Farmyard & Adventure Playground Educational packages suitable for: -

a) Foundation early years
b) Key stage 1
c) Key stage 2
d) Key stage 3 (11-14yrs)
e) Special schools or units with additional support needs

Self guided or staff led
Groups can choose a self guided visit or an educational package where Farmyard staff will lead activities directly linked to the National Curriculum.

Self-guided
Accompanying staff are responsible for guiding their group around the site. Farmyard staff are available to answer questions, but have no input into the educational content of your visit. Staff are welcome to visit prior to your visit in order to plan how best to use our facilities. Please call 01246 583139 to arrange an appointment.

Staff led activities
Activities are themed and in every case, as well as being fun and interactive, their educational content is directly linked to the National Curriculum.

Themed Options
a) New life & growth
b) Caring -Animals and|or environment
c) Understanding people and places
d) Products and materials

a - New life and growth
Ideal for the spring term but suitable for any time in the season. Using a ‘hands on’ approach we look at life processes in animals and |or plants comparing, contrasting and classifying.

b- Caring
This is approached through working with the animals or in the surrounding environment, or a combination of both. We look at duty of care to animals, our environment and each other. One element of this option could be our sensory walk, which encourages children to heighten their awareness of the environment by investigating it using their senses.

c - Understanding people and places
An ideal theme for the trailer ride option we look at either the park or Stand Wood and investigate how the area has developed and who works within it to manage this man made environment.

Our two annual rural skills weeks (May & October) are also ideal for observing at close quarters the skills of various rural craftsmen. There are some opportunities for interaction and participation.

d- Products and materials
Within this option we look at products we get from farm animals (e.g. wool, milk, eggs, meat) and inanimate objects, (e.g. trees) how we utilise them and what processes are involved in their utilisation.
To enhance appreciation of these natural materials we can use our sensory trail in nearby woodland where techniques are used to increase awareness of the surroundings by exploring natural colour, textures, scent etc. The emphasis can alternatively be on seasonal changes and can be a walk or trailer ride.

The four themes are central to any of the educational packages on offer. However if you have a special interest, which you feel your group can investigate using our facilities we will do our best to accommodate you within the framework of these packages. All packages are adapted to meet the needs of age and ability of the group.

All group leaders are positively encouraged to visit the Farmyard and Adventure Playground prior to their group visit, to plan their programme and to conduct a site risk assessment. Please call 01246 583139 to arrange an appointment.

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