The Changing Chalk BHCC Farm School Project has got off to a flying start with five Brighton and Hove Primary Schools visiting five different farms on the South Downs. Farm School is part of Changing Chalk, a project funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and People’s Postcode Lottery. The Farm School aims to engage children living within the city with the farming community on their doorstep. Protecting the chalk grassland, learning about nature preservation, and increasing understanding around local food and farming production are central tenants of the project. The children have explored these themes by feeding lambs, exploring farmland on a trailer ride, investigating the life cycle of wheat, making bird feeders to encourage wildlife, turning themselves into a human combine harvester and even having a ‘Bake Off’ harvest wheatsheaf competition.
“Our children really need to experience this kind of enrichment. They loved it.” Teacher, Carden Primary
“There were piles of beans. We learnt about that wheat grows into flour and flour makes bread. We did a drama to be the big machine that harvests the wheat, like a huge tractor- a combine harvester! ” Year 2 child, St Marks C of E
“I loved the swallow because I saw it swoop down.” Year 4 child, St Martin’s C of E
“You have to be very careful when you are near the wheat that you don’t tread on it and break it as it takes one year to grow. Farming is hard work.” Y2 child, St Marks C of E School
The Farm School project would like to say a huge thank you to all the farmers who generously gave their time to give the children involved such a wonderful hands-on experience of farming practices on the South Downs.
If you would like to learn more or see if your school is suitable for this project, please contact the Farm School Coordinator Hannah Tedman [email protected]
