Early Years, Foundation & Key Stage 1 Zone

Most students of this age concentrate on farming & habitats. Some schools come for a half day visit either in the morning or afternoon especially during lambing in March when the weather can be a factor. Other schools however make a day of it and come for a whole day

Arrive at Rushall Farm, Scratchface Lane, RG7 6DL. Coaches can reverse into the farmyard with ease.

A typical farming and habitat timetable can be downloaded as PDF files but most schools choose from these activities

Farmer John’s Daybook. What does Farmer John do throughout the day, what time does he get up, what does he wear around the farm, what does he eat for breakfast and where does that food come from? What does he need to do to look after the animals & crops? Who’d like to be a farmer?
The Farmyard Feely Box. Full of things to do with sheep. Without peeking can you use words to describe what you’re feeling? Are they rough, smooth, cold or hard? Gives the children a chance to get hands on and work out what all the sheep things are e.g. hay, straw & a salt lick.
The farmer can only do all his work because he has a tractor. A chance to have a drive of the Little Blue Tractor and a good opportunity to take photographs. With adult supervision Years 1&2 can also go up in the Combine Harvester.
Growing all the crops. What’s growing in this field, what will we do with it when we harvest the crop, who’d like to help Farmer John sow some seeds.
The livestock. What animals do we have at Rushall Farm & why do we have them all. A chance to interact with the hand reared lambs and also the cattle, chickens and pigs on the farm. Also the opportunity to meet the donkeys, not part of the commercial farm but old hands at school visits. All visitors to the farm love meeting the livestock and it’s important that they know that for the most part these animals aren’t pets but are an important part of the commercial viability of the farm. Always a good opportunity to discuss poo.
A woodland walk and Colour Pallets. Who can find the most colours, shades & textures? A chance for the children to explore and have something to take home with them
The Blue Tit Game. A simple food chain game that gets the children thinking about who eats who. A good opportunity to run around and collect “caterpillars” but watch out for the Sparrowhawk.
Pond Dipping. All ages love Pond Dipping. What creatures live in the pond and what are they up to. All from the safety of a purpose built dipping platform.
In May, June & July see the bees in the observation hive. Where is the queen & why are girl bees workers & boy bees lazy. Try some honey (bee spit), dress up as a beekeeper and lets all waggle dance.

During lambing there is always an opportunity to hold the hand reared lambs and hopefully see lambs being born. Groups can feed the hand reared lambs with bottles and whilst it’s not normally possible for all groups to do this we try to ensure that all children below KS2 get the opportunity to feed the lambs.