Farmyard Fun and Learning

Creatures great and small brought the farmyard right onto the playing fields for young children at Ramsgate Arts Primary School.

Reception class and Year 1 pupils were able to get up close in a fun educational experience with a variety of animals brought along by farmers James and Abby Brindley.

Pupils met Liquorice and Treacle the twin calves, Bob and Kevin the Kune-Kune pigs, Hazel and Rusty the goats, Flopsy and Mopsy the lambs, Mabel and Martha the chickens, and Flora the Labrador puppy and Teasel the working Cocker Spaniel.

They were able to feed and stoke the animals, get up close and hold young chickens with James and Abby in support, and experience the warmth of a freshly-laid egg by nestling it gently in their hands.

Children and their parents, who joined in the farm, visit also took part in outdoor workshop sessions around the portable pens.

Head of School Nick Budge said: “This is a fantastic learning experience. It is wonderful to be able to bring a mini farmyard right onto the school grounds and we are always keen to broaden the way we teach.

“The pupils couldn’t stop talking about what they had seen and done, and they will use their experiences for follow up topic work in the classroom.”

James and Abby run a 20 acre small holding near Rainham in Kent and breed many rare breeds of animals. They also rent more than 100 acres of nearby marsh land, where they keep their store lambs and herd of Sussex Cattle.

The former agricultural college graduates have worked in both the tourism and agricultural sectors for more than ten years. They said: “We believe that a hands-on activity such as the mobile farm is a fantastic opportunity for children to learn not just about animals but the importance of farming in the UK.”