How we work

Fields & Farms provides alternative educational opportunities within a working farm setting.

Giving those students who would benefit, access to outdoor learning experiences within a real business.

The farm is a working calf & sheep rearing business and we also have goats, ducks, chickens and guinea pigs along with large garden area and allotment.

Activities will vary due to student’s needs and interests. There are also opportunities for therapeutic and motivational activities and time spent simply being with the animals.

Fields and Farms | Alternative Provision | The Chickens
Fields and Farms | Alternative Provision | Calf being stroked

The benefits

For students

The benefits of learning outside is a well researched topic and findings claim that students who spend time in the outdoor doing physical work have more positive mental health.

  • Completing physically active jobs to benefit health.
  • Undertaking meaningful jobs within a working business.
  • Developing interaction and social skills.
  • Developing employability skills in animal care, horticulture and ground care that can support future prospects.

For schools

The provision is available all through term time between the hours of 9.00am until 2pm. Half days are also available subject to availability.

Taster sessions are highly recommended to establish the provision’s suitability for the individual student and to formulate their timetable.

Students receive personalised targets to work towards and receive a certificate of achievement when the module is complete.

The opportunities

Students will have opportunities to work on a wide variety of skills through meaningful activities. The areas of learning will include:

  • Animal care
  • Ground maintenance and conservation
  • Horticulture
  • Farming and agriculture
  • Art and design – inc. photography, woodwork, cooking, etc

Fields & Farms also focus on social and emotional skills especially for those students with SEMH, by providing time spent with the animals and the outdoors coupled with projects to build self esteem and confidence.

Fields and Farms | Alternative Provision | Margo the sheep

Margo, one of the sheep

Tractor
Fields and Farms | Alternative Provision | The Paddock

The Paddock

Fields and Farms | Alternative Provision | Mo the sheep dog

Mo the farm boss

Get in touch

Provision address
Oak Tree Farm
Nailstone Road
Barton in the Beans
CV13 0DH

Correspondence address
77 Newbold Road
Barlestone
CV13 0DT

About me

Jo Dudek | Ma SEN

I’ve been a teacher in a school in Leicestershire for children with Special Educational Needs for 14 years.

I have enjoyed teaching students of all ages from 5yrs to 19yrs across subjects from Maths, Literacy and Science to OCR life, living and independent living skills who have a learning difficulties.

I have a love for and the knowledge of outdoor living and learning, animals and wildlife.

Fields & Farms brings all of these passions together for the benefit and wellbeing of the students who come to our Care Farm.