The Educator Magazine U.K. Jan-April 2025 issue - Magazine - Page 66
With schools typically selecting the summer or
autumn terms for residential trips, can a trip away
between December and May still offer a great
experience? Farms for City Children believe it can.
If you are a Headteacher looking
of resilience, as well as a grit and
on the farm, but it is often a really
for that life-changing, immersive
growth mindset. The timetable for
magical one.”
residential experience for your
the week is full of activities designed
He adds “many teachers will have
pupils in the winter, look no
to boost self-esteem, courage and
also experienced the multitude of
further than
a week of “muck
and
con昀椀dence.
Paul Keane,
Executive
Immersive
five-day
residential
stays
on one
of that
our
stunning
positives
a residential
brings
magic” on one of Farms for City
Headteacher of Blenheim Road
after
pupils
have
returned
to
the
Devon,School
Gloucestershire
and Pembrokeshire.
Children’sheritage
three stunningfarms
heritage in Community
spent a week at
classroom. By selecting a winter
farms. Across the school year, the
Lower Treginnis Farm with Year 6
week away, those bene昀椀ts can be
charity welcomes young people
pupils. Re昀氀ecting on the visit, Paul
reaped for much longer in the
between the ages of 8-19, from all
wrote “We all had the most magical
remaining school year.”
regions across England and Wales,
time and have learnt so much, made
The environment and activities
particularly those navigating their
special memories and connected
offered at the farms have been
childhood in communities that are
with one another in a way which just
most underserved.
isn't possible in the classroom. We've designed to support the national
curriculum, enrichment programmes
seen anxious children holding 昀椀rm
During their 昀椀ve-day stay, children
PHSE
wellbeing
anda
against a pig which is trying to
“I’veand
been
on provision,
residentials
for almost
and young people enjoy a nurturing
Citizenship, over 昀椀ve days described
escape the weigher; children, for
week of food, farming and outdoor
decade
now and this one was by far the
by one lead teacher as “a week in
whom school life is tricky, wrangling
learning, no matter what the season.
best.
Every
activity
was tailored to the
paradise,
full of connection,
physical and mental health benefits of
being
the been doing it their
sheep
like in
they'd
Following a visit to Farms for City
re昀氀ection
growth.”
whole life; and the quietest, most children,
everyand
member
of staff was
Children’s Wick Court farm earlier
timid children shouting orders to welcoming, warm and worked incredibly
If a Week in Wellies in 2025 - 2026
this year, Gabi Spears, Assistant
their team at the top of their voice.”
with
Farms
Citypurposeful,
Children
Headteacher at Charles Dickens
hard to make
thefor
week
sounds just like what your school
Primary School in London, said, “The What bene昀椀ts can a winter
educational
- but most of all, fun.
needs next year, please call
staff are really knowledgeable, and
residential offer?
01392 276381 to discuss options
they encourage a sense of curiosity
Ben Rose, Partnerships Manager at
or visit
their
website
“In
terms
of the
benefits
for the children,
and wonder in the children.” Farms
Farms for City Children, is clear that
www.farmsforcitychildren.org
for City Children pledge that a stay
a week away between December there are almost too many to list. They
at their farms will increase young
and May has a lot to offer “Life ondeveloped their confidence, resilience and
people’s sense of environmental
the farms never stops. Lambing starts
“Our children
communication
skills, allhave
whilemade
learning so
citizenship, improve connections
excellent bonds with one another
before Christmas and continues
between peers and teachers and
much about
as afarming.”
result of the excellent
through late winter and early spring.
support improved physical health
activities,
challenges and support
Our animals are moved under cover
and wellbeing so that children return
from
dedicated
staff.”
during the winter, so need to be fed
to school equipped with transferable
and mucked out daily, and our
Rowl
Mayflower,Michael
Tower Hamlets.
skills that last long after their visit has
horses and donkeys are always
and, Director of Education,
ended. Emily Ottoway, Head of Year
The Focus Trust.
grateful to be groomed. There is
8 at Oak Academy, described the
important work to do in our kitchen
school’s stay at Lower Treginnis farm
gardens and food production never
as “breathtakingly impactful onIn
thethe past year, over 3,000 children
stops in our polytunnels. Winter
aspirations of young people.” and young people visited one of our
affords special opportunities too;
in Devon,
Gloucestershire
A week of meaningful physical three farms
stargazing,
watching
the sunrise
and Pembrokeshire.
tasks delivered outdoors, nutritious
before breakfast and warming up
home-cooked food and a digital
with hot chocolate by the
de-tox supports the development
logburners.
Winter
a quiet time
Call us on
01392 276
381isn’t
to discuss
and
book your week in wellies.
FIND OUT MORE: farmsforcitychildren.org
@farmsforcitychildren
@Farms for City Children
@Farms for City Children
