Schools
Rushall is an excellent place to learn about many aspects of the curriculum
As well as the organic farm, the students also have access to woodland, a pond, the River Pang and an ancient chalk pit. This enables us to cover diverse topics ranging from food and farming to habitats and river studies with a focus on climate change and our environment, such as carbon footprint, sustainability, and diversification. We can tailor a programme to suit your requirements.
At Rushall Farm we welcome everyone. We are well equipped to provide opportunities for outdoor education for additional need students regardless of age or disability.
Primary Schools
Farms and Habitats
Early Years and KS1 pupils usually concentrate on farming & habitats. The timetable may focus on a variety of topics, such as where food comes from, healthy eating, pollinators, minibeasts, water. We try to cater for whatever you want. Highlights include a ride on the tractor & trailer, feeding the chickens, pond dipping and in the summer term watching the bees in the observation hive.
KS2 pupils may also like to identify trees, plants & flowers, visit the Chalk Wall - an official site of Special Geological Interest where evidence of the K-T extinction can be found, or dissect owl pellets.
KS2 pupils can put on waders and head to one of the sites on the River Pang, a beautiful chalk stream to get in the water and dip for wildlife and do basic measurements.
Rivers
Camps
Rushall Manor Farm is the perfect space for children to experience the joys and freedom of the countryside while spending between 1 and 2 nights sleeping in a tent. For many it is their first time away from their family.
Children from Years 4, 5 and 6 get to enjoy fun and active days filled with interesting activities and games whilst also learning some independence and building life-long friendships with their school mates. Activities are led by our enthusiastic and experienced leaders and include bivouac building, leadership/team building games, river dipping, tractor-trailer rides, pond dipping, mini-beast hunting, orienteering, BBQ and a camp fire.
Facilities provided include easy-assembly tents, a large kitchen, BBQs, and fully accessible toilet block.
The cost of camping at Rushall Manor is kept to a minimum, to make it accessible for all.
Forest School
Rushall Manor Farm offers a beautiful natural woodland setting to develop a relationship between children and the natural world. The forest school is open to all ages and abilities and the course is most effective when sessions are regular and over a sustained period. All activities are child-led and include log balancing, den building, basic tool use, fire lighting and safety, tree climbing, leaf and bug collecting and identification, eco-art, mud sculpting and making charcoal.
Secondary Schools
Secondary school children can experience a range of topics at the farm, but one of the key elements of a trip to the countryside is to enjoy the openness and the beauty of the natural world.
Trips can focus on agriculture or river studies with many topics covered under these areas.
Farm
Learn how an organic farm operates and consider the challenges posed by climate change, from how to diversify to use the land in the best way whilst conserving the environment, to carbon footprint and sustainability.
River Fieldwork
Get into waders and onto the tractor and trailer visit various sites along the River Pang, a beautiful chalk stream. Take measurements of the river depth, width, velocity, wetted perimeter, gradient and bedload with demonstrations from Rushall staff of proper scientific techniques and how to use equipment. Also use Kick nets to fish for wildlife.
Growing for Good
Our specially developed programme helps 11-13 year olds overcome the challenges they may face and supports them into a more secure path for their journey through school.
The 12 week Growing for Good programme that we offer at Rushall Manor Farm is a range of diverse activities aimed at building self confidence in a non-academic environment. The focus is on skills such as teamwork, motivation, co-operation, leadership and resilience. It is a program aimed at KS3 students who are struggling in a classroom setting, whether this is due to learning difficulties, anxiety/lack of confidence, behavioural issues etc or due to difficult situations at home.
Your school, with recommendations and support from Rushall staff, select a cohesive group of up to 10 students to come to the farm for one day each week for 12 weeks. Rushall provides two Farm Education Officers to lead the group throughout the course. We find a mix of personalities really helps a group thrive and for individuals to shine.
We have seen great success stories as well as improved attendance and behaviour back in school and we have dedicated facilities, tailor-made activities and consistent staff to support this programme.
To see if the Growing for Good course is right for your school please arrange an initial pre-visit to view the site and facilities and to discuss further what the programme entails and what you require.
