School where farming and stewardship are on the curriculum

NOT many schools can boast a prize-winning South Devon bull as one of their top achievements, but then again Bredon is no ordinary school.

The independent school near Tewkesbury is one of just 40 school farms operating across both the state and independent education sectors in the UK.

Pupils take their lessons in a majestic grey stone mansion that boasts great curved gables and square mullioned windows that would not look out of place alongside the classrooms of Harry Potter's school of witchcraft and wizardry.

The school sits in 83 acres of landscaped grounds, including sports pitches, gardens and perhaps most importantly, the school farm.

“I enjoy the farm the best out of all my lessons,” says 13-year-old George Yearp, as he throws fresh straw down for the cattle.

Like the rest of his classmates, he has to spend one hour a week doing odd jobs on the farm but enjoys it so much he will steal any time he can to be with the animals.

“If I have 10 minutes over lunchtime I will come down and I come down at weekends as well,” he says.

The farm is one of many aspects that distinguishes Bredon from most schools. It also attracts pupils from around the world and its dedication to help children with learning difficulties, such as dyslexia and dyspraxia, has given the teaching support unit a top international reputation.

Operating as a day and boarding school, it was originally founded by Lt Col Tony Sharp in 1962 and his philosophy still remains fundamental.

“In education, the journey is just as important as the destination. While qualifications represent an important destination, the educational process by which that destination is reached is equally, if not more, important,” he said.

It is this type of thinking that has let the school farm succeed under the watchful stewardship of farm manager Charlie Slatter and his assistant, Jenny Parkes.

“Parents see the farm as a fantastic opportunity,” says Charlie.

“Pretty much every parent that comes to visit is impressed, not necessarily by the fact that it is agriculture, but that we have something different. The farm is a great opportunity to give children practical skills, from picking up a broom to the responsibility of looking after an animal.”

From the age of six until year 10, every pupil is required to spend one hour a week helping and learning on the farm.

For the older students, work on the farm becomes optional but there is a GCSE in Rural and Agricultural Science for years 10 and 11, as well as a land-based operations National Vocational Qualification and a BTEC First Diploma in Countryside and Environment for years 12 and 13.

The changing face of British agriculture has seen the curriculum shift slightly from farming to stewardship of the environment in recent years.

“There is something for everyone,” says Charlie. “We have pigs, cows, sheep, poultry – you name it. We have the rabbits for the little ones and the younger kids love coming down and having the freedom and opportunity to do all sorts of things.

“We also have a conservation area and environmental schemes. Then there are the polytunnels where we grow peppers, tomatoes, aubergines and cucumbers.''

Fifteen-year-old William Garrett has been a weekly boarder for six years. He says it has offered him experiences that he couldn't get elsewhere.

“I always like feeding the cows and the sheep,” says William, who has a flock of 23 Kerry Hill sheep at home.

“I also hope to take my tractor test after my birthday after taking some lessons through school and when I leave school I want to take over my dad's farm.''

George Yearp is not sure if he wants to be a farmer when he leaves school, that is too far into the future. For the time being, he has other things to think about, like looking after his sheep.

“I bought two sheep last year and keep them at the school,” he says. “I am hoping to get them out during the showing season. It is a really good opportunity to get involved.”

George bought his Jacobs last spring as ewe lambs and the school lets him use the facilities and he does the work with them when he can.

None of this would be possible without Charlie and Jenny – the resident farmers, come teachers, come crowd control.

“I am here early and I work until late and of course we are here through the holidays when the kids have all gone home but I enjoy it,” says Jenny, who has been on the farm for just over seven years. Charlie has been farm manager for 10.

Altogether, they steward 35 acres. They have a flock of 38 commercial mule ewes that will lamb to Texel rams and five Scottish Blackface sheep that will be taken to show this season.

They also have six Great White pigs, four Kune Kune pigs and eight pedigree South Devon cattle, including the current South Devon Society Bull of the Year, Walter.

These, along with several chickens, a few horses, some geese and ducks makes up the full time working farm.

The farm is not run for a profit but if its value could be quantified in educational terms then it would be fair to say that it would generate a healthy return.

“Money is always pretty tight,” said Charlie. “We are taking some pigs to market next week so may have a little to spend but it is all pretty much hand to mouth.''

Some of the students have other ideas and are currently trying to make some money for themselves.

“There are some sixth formers doing an enterprise scheme rearing free-range chickens and selling the eggs.”

Two years ago a trip to Brazil was part-financed through the production of broiler chickens and Charlie currently has an army of helpers working on construction projects.

“We are building chicken pens with the year 9 technology group, rabbit hutches with year 7 and the calve pens were re-done last September over the course of various lessons.

“There is so much to do. So many different tasks and always things to fix and build and break.''

One of the most rewarding periods on the farm for Jenny and Charlie is during show season and the school has enjoyed a long record of success at leading UK agricultural shows.

“We do a lot of showing – going to all of the top shows, including Devon County, Bath and West, Royal, Three Counties and Royal Welsh,” says Jenny.

“Walter has done well and the Blackface sheep normally do alright and one of our Great Whites nearly got pig of the year a while ago.''

The students exhibited animals at about a dozen agricultural shows last year and picked up several prizes. Highlights included pupils in the young handlers' classes at the Three Counties Show, who won two first prizes and comprised four of the top six young pig handlers in a class of 12.

At the Royal Show, a year 10 pupil won first place in the breed champion Scottish Blackface and any other breed ewe lamb sections.

“We're hoping to add one or two more shows to the schedule this year, with our main focus on the Three Counties Show and the Royal Show,” says Jenny.

The showing is a good promotional tool for the school and generates more interest for the children who do all of the sheep and pig showing and young handlers competitions.

No stranger to the ring is 11-year-old Jack King, a day pupil from Gloucester who showed his Kune Kune pig at an event last year. “We have a stick to control them with,” says Jack. “It's hard at first but the pig was quite well-behaved after a bit of practice.''

While there are clearly many vocational opportunities available at Bredon, the farm is not about turning the children into farmers. Instead, the school prides itself on offering children new opportunities to promote their varying interests and talents.

“One lad had never been on a farm before but came here, did his NVQ last year and has now gone to agricultural college and wants to be a farmer. One of our more famous alumni is Richard Johnson – the champion jump jockey.”

Although many pupils will go on to pursue other walks of life, says Charlie, they all leave with a far greater understanding of the outdoors and where their food is from.