The Old Farmyard Ripley

Higher level Stewardship at Birchwood Farm

The educational access at Birchwood Farm is being funded through the Higher level Stewardship Scheme. It is an EU & UK funded scheme organised by Natural England, and these funds have been targeted to just a few farms where there is special interest for children, and suitable premises.

The Scheme Aims To:

Conserve wildlife (biodiversity)
Maintain and enhance landscape quality and character
Protect the historic environment and natural resources
Promote public access and understanding of the countryside, for example through school visits

The Old Farmyard is ideally suited for foundation & key stage 1 children being a small safe environment with lots of animals to see and suitable hand washing facilities.
The working farm is more suitable for key stage 2 & 3 where they can see the milking parlour, cattle sheds & stables plus sheep & lambs (only inside in March & April). They can also go on a farm walk which will enrich their knowledge of the countryside, plants, birds, trees & pond life etc.
All visits are FREE providing you fill in an evaluation form

Guidelines for the Visit

Visits can be arranged by contacting

Miss Kate Smith, Birchwood Farm,
Ripley. HG3 3AX
Tel: 01423 772962

Further information on linking the visit to the curriculum can be obtained from the Farming and Countryside Education (FACE) website at www.face-online.org.uk

Safety

Visitors must follow the country code at all times, and remember that they are on a working farm. Teachers/Group leaders are responsible for their pupils' behaviour throughout the visit.