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Cultivating Sustainability in Land, Lives & Livelihoods

Farm Activites for Children

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Holiday Clubs

We have a series Of Holiday sessions starting this October of Holiday clubs for children Aged 5-10. focusing on nature connection, play and permaculture

We are imagining a day from 10.30 - 3.30 in all school holidays, to include foraging/harvesting and a shared lunch. There will also be craft activities and games. If you would like to be sent more details please email louise.hoskins@apricotcentre.co.uk.

The small group will be run by Louise Hoskins, a forest school leader and nature based art practitioner and Hannah Walker, a dietitian and forager. The group will take place in the social forestry area at the heart of the Apricot Centre’s 34 acre organic farm.

Educational Visits to the Farm

Outdoor Learning is one of the possible solutions for schools: Ofsted chief inspector, Amanda Spielman, announced that from next autumn, inspectors will move their focus away from academic results towards checking for evidence of a broader curriculum in schools.

Taking the curriculum outside improves attainment, increases engagement, and develops a wide range of skills. These skills include problem solving, communication, and resilience. Outdoor learning provides endless opportunities for experiential, contextual, and applied education. At Huxhams Cross Farm, we believe that Outdoor Learning is at its most potent when interwoven within the formal school curriculum and we have a wide range of curriculum-based outdoor learning that can meet the needs of a wide range of students in a range of subject areas.

At a time with increased concerns about the physical and emotional wellbeing of our children, we may question whether they will leave education with the skills and competencies necessary for the future. Outdoor learning brings a range of benefits which are now widely evidenced, acknowledged, and accepted.

We offer a range of activities and workshops. The costs of visits are dependent on activity and duration. However, we usually charge £300 + VAT for a half day session which includes 1 farm tour and 1 activity for 30 children, but do get in contact and we can discuss your needs. 

Please contact Rachel for more information.

We run a number of different educational visits which can be tailored to support the National Curriculum. All our courses are designed and run by a qualified Secondary School Teacher and Higher Education Tutor.

 
 

Primary Schools

Farm Tour

Discover more about our farm including visiting our cows and chickens. This is an excellent opportunity for young people to learn more about where their food comes from. We will discuss the origins of different food including meat, eggs, bread, and vegetables. Includes an animal feeding session.

Apple Tasting and Pressing

Learn about the varieties of apple on the farm, partake in an apple taste, and use specialist equipment to press them for the juice. Children are involved in the process from start to finish and it will be the best glass of apple juice they have ever had! This session is best in the autumn, when you can use the farm’s own apples.

Vegetable Trail

Learn about the plants grown on farms and their uses in food. We discuss plant care and growth and young people sow seeds in a pot to take away with them to care for.

Composting

Young people learn about what goes into a compost heap, the creatures that live there, and how to make your own compost.  This activity also includes a seed sowing activity.

Herb and Wildflower Trail

Young people explore and forage a range of herbs and wildflowers that are used to create a dye. You then tie dye your own eco bag with plant dye.

Pick, Cook, Eat

Children can pick their own lunch from the farm, cook it in our kitchen, and then sit down to eat it. This is a lovely way for children to learn where their food comes from; an example of this activity could be making your own pizza using produce from the farm such as our flour and tomatoes. Or make your own soup using the vegetables on the farm.

 
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Secondary Schools

We have worked with a number of secondary schools focusing on elements of the curriculum such as Food and Nutrition, Art and Design, Geography and Science. 

The farm can be used as a citizens science site to support areas in the curriculum

If you are interested in your class visiting the farm to provide an action learning experience please contact Rachel on rachelphillips@apricotcentre.co.uk

The Apricot Centre approach often includes working on our farm or with activities and experiences in nature.

The benefits of nature-based activities are increasingly being researched and evidenced in relation to child and adolescent stress, mental health, and wellbeing.

Nature-based activities:

  • Help to regulate stress and emotional states

  • Lower anxiety

  • Build confidence and a sense of competence

  • Enhance healing from physical trauma

  • Help young people access a state of mind for curiosity and learning

We believe that the natural environment provides a space for encouraging play, creativity, improving relationships and teamwork, and helping young people become more aware of themselves, others, and their connection to nature.

We have developed a wellbeing programme ‘Children at the Edge of Potential’ for young people who may be struggling in school, relationships, and home environments etc.

Some of the activities offered via the ‘Children at the Edge of Potential’ programme:

  • Farm Clubs & Forest School Activities

  • Digging & Delving - Involving nature-based wellbeing and health-focused workshops, mindfulness in nature, foraging, healthy eating and cooking, art, and making herbal remedies, products, and home produce.

If you are interested in having workshop for your school or youth group please contact rachelphillips@apricotcentre.co.uk

 
 
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Home Education.

Our wonderful home education group will begin again after a busy summer season. This will be led by Louise Hoskins, who is fully trained Forest School leader, Nature Connection Facilitator and Nature Based Artist. The home ed groups will be designed to look at sustainability, resiliance and joyfulness through nature connection practices, crafts and campfire cooking. She encourages left led projects whilst filtering learning through playscapes and other activities, all of this on the backdrop of the farm with it’s strong thread of sustainability and biodiversity.

The children will be able to explore the farm and woodlands. Whilst taking part in these fun activities, they will learn about food, its seasonality and the sustainable practices that the farm use. They will get the chance to learn about wildlife in the woodlands and on the farm and how to look after the woodlands.

We will usually cook or prepare fresh fruit and vegetables for snacks every week using the produce from the farm.

Packing extra snacks, water bottles, appropriate clothing and sun cream, hats etc is essential.

We have a beautiful, safe, and easily accessible site nestled between the meadow and the soft fruit trees. This is where we will be running most of our activities. The site is safe and has a compost toilet, polytunnels, cows as well as running streams and planted vegetable areas.

We have a taster session on the 21st September 2023 at £18 for 2.5 hours and then a 4 week block after this at a cost of £72. To book email louise.hoskins@apricotcentre.co.uk

Home Education FAQs

+ What do I need to do as a parent?

Drop off your children... we don't expect you to stay with your child during the group, however, if you feel your child may benefit from your presence then you are welcome for as long as your child feels comfortable. Please contact Louise at louise.hoskins@apricotcentre to discuss this.

Enjoy a nice walk around our farm and perhaps purchase some of our vegetables.

Parents are also strongly encouraged to car share, in order to minimise pollution as much as possible.

+ What will the Home Ed group be like?

We will meet in the car park of the centre and then make our way to the Social Forestry area, seeing what interesting things there are to look at and harvest on the way down. Depending on the season, we'll play games, learn forest skills, forage for food, cook on an open fire, explore and connect with the natural world through simple activities.

+ What should my child wear?

Please ensure that your child is dressed suitably for outdoor conditions, some areas of the farm are wet so wellies and long trousers are advisable.

+ How much does it cost?

The sessions are charged in blocks. There will be no other costs, all equipment provided. Please contact louise.hoskins@apricotcentre.co.uk to book your place.

+ Do I have to book?

Yes please, bookings are required, please contact Louise on louise.hoskins@apricotcentre.co.uk.

+ Do the children have to come every week or is it a drop-in?

The group is booked in half-term blocks with a taster session available at the beginning of each block. Drop in's are only available if we have the minimum number of children to run at a slightly high cost. If your child misses a session we are regrettably unable to refund or offer a catch up session. Refunds are only available if the centre has to cancel a session due to inclement weather or illness.