School Farm Visits

We’re passionate about learning outside the classroom.  The landscape at Swallowtail Hill is unique and throughout the seasons provides an ever-changing resource to help bring the curriculum alive.

We’re only too happy to work with teachers to create bespoke visits to the farm which dovetail with topics and themes you may be working on back in the classroom.   We can create a programme of activities that works for your students and we provide teacher’s packs.

We welcome children of all ages but feel that the farm is particularly suited to those at key stages 2 and 3.

The farm is run for conservation so groups can undertake sessions which introduce them to the work we do here and encourage an understanding of bio-diversity and sustainability.  They can explore our wildflower meadows, hedgerows, woodland, ponds and watercourses and see an entire landscape and ecosystem at work.

Alternatively sessions can be created around one specific area to be studied in more detail.  Popular session themes include:

• Habitats (wood, meadow, hedgerow, pond)
• Life-cycles (wood, meadow, hedgerow, pond)
• History and management of woodland in Sussex (iron industry, charcoal, coppicing)
• Meadow management (grazing, harvest, hay)
• Hedgerow management (planting, laying, species identification, habitats)

Associated activities include:

• Pond dipping
• Minibeast hunting
• Species identification
• Charcoal making
• Woodland crafts
• Felt making

The farm is run for self-sufficiency so there are also animals on the farm for groups to meet and learn about.

The farm is listed by Natural England as a recommended educational site.  We’re Learning Outside the Classroom Accredited and are also a qualified member of CEVAS (Countryside & Educational Visits Accreditation Scheme).

The site isn’t large – 40 acres in total – which means that shorter visits can be easily accommodated too.

School visit leaders are CRB checked and First Aid trained.

Facilities     Forest School     Special Interest Groups     Discuss your Visit