News

Bourne Education Trust is excited to announce the opening of Little Oaks Farm, a new small holding at Woodmansterne Primary School on 3rd May 2024.

Woodmansterne Primary, a school located in a semi-rural area on the outskirts of London, has a long-standing tradition of keeping animals on its 5.5 acres of school grounds, dating back over 20 years. With the support of the Trust and tireless fundraising efforts by the school's PTA, the school has now built a working small holding, complete with stables, outdoor pens and larger field areas, capable of housing a range of different animals.

This week, the farm welcomed its first residents: chickens, Gus and Matilda - two Kunekune pigs and two pygmy goats, soon to be named by the children. Additionally, the school is participating in the South of England Agriculture Society's Loan a Lamb scheme, providing a temporary home for two sheep and their lambs from a local farm.

"The opening of Little Oaks Farm is the culmination of a vision developed over several years at the school," said Clare Goldsmith, Headteacher of Woodmansterne Primary. "As custodians of such a large, natural site, we wanted to maximise the use of our land and provide all our children with an enriching experience they may not otherwise have. We recognise the tremendous value of spending time in nature, and we know that our children will benefit hugely from the opportunity to work with the animals as well as developing their knowledge and understanding of how to look after them."

Kate Sanders, COO of Bourne Education Trust, who officially opened the farm alongside Woodmansterne's Head Pupils, expressed her enthusiasm for the sustainable leadership initiative: "I am delighted to see the work taking place at Woodmansterne to both foster a love of nature and lead sustainable projects.  It has been wonderful to see the plans for growing using the allotment within the small holding and the opportunities for pupils to see first-hand how their interaction with nature can have a positive impact on both their local environment and the wider community."

Pupils at Woodmansterne Primary will have weekly sessions in the farm as part of their wider outdoor learning curriculum, learning the skills to undertake a range of jobs with the animals. The school will also offer lunchtime and after-school clubs within the farm and has future plans for open events and farm experience events open to the wider community.

For more information, visit Woodmansterne Primary School - Little Oaks Farm.