The children have fed lambs, explored farmland on a trailer ride, investigated the life cycle of wheat, made bird feeders to encourage wildlife, turned themselves into a human combine harvester and even had a harvest wheatsheaf Bake Off!

“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 Mark’s CE Primary School

“I loved the swallow because I saw it swoop down.” Year 4 child, St Martin’s CE Primary School

“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.” Year 2 child, St Mark’s CE Primary 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.

Farm School is part of Changing Chalk, a project funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and People’s Postcode Lottery.