We offer a wide variety of engaging and exciting projects for schools and youth groups throughout the year,

all of which have a strong environmental emphasis. The projects aim to give pupils a greater awareness of the world they live in and a curiosity to find out more about it for themselves in the future. All our projects are outdoor based and very hands on and interactive, encouraging learning and understanding through children discovering things for themselves. All projects are tied in with the curriculum and can be tailored to suit a wide variety of ages and abilities. They are run extremely cost-effectively, to ensure that as many children as possible are able to experience them. Our website outlines all of the projects that we offer, including itineraries, costs and what to expect. We also have downloadable risk assessments.

Rocks and Soils

The class discovers several types of rock whilst exploring the Farm. They learn about their uses and how they were formed. They then get to carry out experiments on the rocks to determine their type. They are then invited to try and make their own soil from materials that they have found on the Farm. The children learn about the necessary conditions to make soil and how it is made in the natural world. To end the day, the class has an opportunity to make their own wormeries to take back to school and continue their studies in geology.

Discovering Mini-Beasts
Classes are encouraged to explore different habitats on the Farm and are helped to identify, record and compare their discoveries together. They create their very own habitat for a minibeast, learning more about the creatures and their environment. Children also learn about basic ecology through taking part in an interactive food web.

The activities were pitched spot on for our children; they were all at the right level and engaged their interest.

Hands on experience made the day valuable and

Engage ReConnect is a successful and highly regarded project that has been established for over 10 years. Approved by Education Leeds it is aimed at young people aged between 13-16 years who are experiencing problems in mainstream education. We cater for pupils with a wide variety of needs, including anger management and learning and behavioural difficulties. The project is delivered in a small, closely supervised group setting, with pupils developing a portfolio of their work to achieve a recognised qualification from the National Open College Network (NOCN). They can come for a term, or over a whole year, with the objective of reengaging them back into mainstream education. Engage ReConnect improves behavior in and out of the classroom. Attendance is improved and anti social behavior is reduced. Pupils leave with greater self-esteem and confidence as well as better literacy and numeracy skills.

Recycled Mountain Bike Project

The aim of the project is to give children the opportunity to learn how to confidently ride a bike, basic bike maintenance and safety skills. Once they have learnt how to strip down and reassemble a bike, they attend a recognised road safety training course and take part in an off road ride. The children have a great sense of accomplishment as they have built their own bike, which they get to take home as a reward. Some of the completed bikes will be donated to African orphans in Malawi. The remainder are sold cheaply at the Farm, with the money raised being used to buy tools for our educational projects.

Meanwood Valley Urban Farm has been a blessing for our students. Their self-esteem, communication and team working skills increased to the extent that they could re-engage with learning. The support, care and guidance provided by the staff has enabled students to move forward in their education and their belief in themselves as learners. Allerton High School