Mowbray is unique in having its own on site working farm and nature conservation area.
Wildlife Area and Nature Reserve
Mowbray values the importance of the natural world and so has developed a nature reserve at Bedale and natural areas at Ripon. These havens for wildlife are also an oasis for children to appreciate nature and can be used to enhance self-esteem and self-confidence through Forest School activities and through practical maintenance of these areas. A real bond is developed over time with these unique spaces and they can be a great alternative learning space outside of the classroom.
School Farm
Philosophy
Mowbray School Farm has built up gradually over several years and offers a vast range of opportunity for all of our students. The farm is a fully working 5.5 acre farm within the school grounds, we breed, raise, and care for hens, pigs, cattle, sheep, goats, turkeys and ponies. We also have poly tunnels, greenhouses and vegetable plots where we grow our own produce. The activities on the farm help the pupils foster an attitude of care and respect towards the animals on the farm as well as fostering team working and respect for each other whilst in a working environment. At all times personal skills are being developed e.g. speaking and listening, meeting sensory need and helping to develop self-awareness and positive behaviours. We also recognise the therapeutic benefits of working and being with animals and in other horticultural activities the farm provides.
Students in Primary, both at Bedale and Ripon site, use the farm to visit the animals and link into their learning across different topic areas. The farm is used to give real life concrete examples of practical application of mathematical and literacy skills across all Key stages (see cross curricular links document). In secondary Key Stage 3 and 4 students are given opportunities to develop responsibility for the animals by being more involved in animal care and lessons are timetabled to deliver this . Opportunities to be involved with the local community are promoted e.g. Taking part in Masham Sheep fair and the Great Yorkshire Show.
Our students come from a vast variety of areas some live in rural environments some from towns; our farm encourages opportunity and vocational career pathways for everyone.
Mowbray School places great emphasis on raising pupils’ awareness of the environment around us, how food is produced and how to live healthily, and we are extremely fortunate to have our own working farm as well as an award winning nature conservation and study area.
We are members of the School Farm Network, which supports and assists schools in developing their own farms, and we maintain links with a local working farms which older pupils visit weekly to learn farming-related skills and follow a Level 1 accredited course.
Both the Young People’s Farm and Conservation Area help to develop vocational skills that can lead to local employment and further agricultural study opportunities for some pupils.
Attitudes and values
Students are encouraged to have a go at any activity and to keep trying when things are hard.
Students are taught to understand that their attitude can affect how they perform but also can affect animal behaviour too!
They are encouraged to stay motivated on a task even when things are different or difficult and they are encouraged to sustain motivation and energy when stepping outside of their comfort zones.
Personal and Social Skills
Students are encouraged to talk and listen to people and to make a positive contribution to discussions in class and out on the farm.
We are members of the School Farm Network, which supports and assists schools in developing their own farms, and we maintain links with a local working farms which older pupils visit weekly to learn farming-related skills and follow a Level 1 accredited course.
Both the Young People’s Farm and Conservation Area help to develop vocational skills that can lead to local employment and further agricultural study opportunities for some pupils.
Students are encouraged to effectively communicate in a group and also use verbal and non-verbal methods of communicating e.g. letters, emails, posters, questionnaires in projects involving the farm.
Some of our students use the farm to help develop self- esteem, personal awareness and to lead towards a positive impact on right choices and behaviour.
Some of our students have coordination or sensory needs so pushing a wheelbarrow, lifting hay bales, shovelling muck and sweeping the yard adds a positive dimension to physical work and meeting proprioceptive need.
Knowledge and understanding
The farm enables many areas of the curriculum to be accessed in innovative ways. There is a cross curriculum document to support staff with their ideas and the Farm Management Team will offer advice and ideas also.
The subject is monitored and assessed by the class teacher who delivers the programmes. ‘I can statements’ specific to the Farm are on Evidence Me (This software program Records, Reports & Assesses pupils achievements) and Enterprise ‘I can statements’ are also used. In Key Stage 4 a vast range of AQA Unit Awards are used to evidence the students learning and to recognise their achievement.
The students learn about where their food comes from and how it is grown.
Farm Education and The Links to Other Initiatives
Every Child Matters – Be Healthy – Stay Safe – Enjoy & Achieve – Make a Positive Contribution – Achieve Economic Well Being
SEAL – Self Awareness – Managing Feelings – Motivation – Empathy – Social Skills.
Guidelines for Delivery
Pupils need opportunities for developing and practising skills. Through repetition and reinforcement of learning delivered within a spiral curriculum, pupils will gain knowledge and understanding. Some farm jobs can be repetitive but are essential in the maintenance and care of the farm and all of the animals and by working together we foster belonging, responsibility and ownership.