Fields & Farms Alternative Education Provision

Over the summer we have been working very hard preparing Fields and Farms new home, getting the animals settled and the learning spaces created and ready for our young people to enjoy.

Although we’ve moved a few miles down the road, all our animals have come with us and the learning focus remains the same. We will continue to take part in outdoor based activities in five areas of learning – Animal care, Horticulture, Horsemanship, Art and Design and Ground care and maintenance.

Our natural pond gives us numerous opportunities for observing and caring for the wildlife and aquatic life. We are really looking forward to exploring this area more. It is also an incredibly calming area to just sit, watch the fish and our resident family of Moorhens.

Fields & Farms offer is based on a therapeutic approach. We provide outdoor based activities to encourage young people to notice the environment around them. This can support student’s mental health by allowing them physical and mental space to just be and not have demands and pressures put on them.

We support students who are struggling to engage in any education by taking small steps to ignite their curiosities in the natural world and by also encouraging responsibility and empathy through the care of animals and the environment. Once we have gained the young people’s engagement, we can move onto developing skills in our five focal area’s.

The skills and knowledge that our young people gain can give them confidence and boost self-esteem. This in turn can support some students to reintegrate in more formal education. For others, these skills and knowledge give them a feeling of self-worth and the encouragement to look to the future and pursue a career/course in these areas.

Engagement and enjoyment are our measurements of achievement for all of our young people and if they are struggling with either of these, we will work closely with them to rectify this.

We only work in small groups, a maximum of four young people on site at any one time, so we can be very student led. There are certain activities that must be done each day but we can also follow interests and curiosities and take part in activities that the students choose.

Our alternative provision is open Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 2.30pm during the Leicestershire school terms.

We offer full days and half days to suit the young persons needs.

We also offer taster sessions and naturally we always welcome prearranged visits for carers, schools and parents. To arrange a visit, please complete the form below and we’ll be back to you ASAP!

We have created an indoor learning space where our children and young people can take part in activities when we need to shelter from the British weather! We have a  kitchen area which the children and young people can use to make their own lunch or take part in cooking activities using produce we have on site.

We ensure it is a quiet and calm space for when time out is needed on a busy day so our young people can rest and recharge ahead of the next activities.