Community Fund – Batley Girls’ High School – July Update

What a fabulous time of the year!  The cooler damp days finally giving way to these longer and warmer summer ones . Students able to relax a little following the busy exam season. The summer holidays not far away and it’s a similar story here on the farm. However it’s our busiest time of the year. The grass is growing as fast as we can find time to cut it. The ducklings and hen chicks progressing to adulthood. And that brings my thoughts to our progressive students!

 

The continued development on the Farm on site at Batley Girls’ High School allow students a fantastic opportunity to be part of a team caring for a variety of animals that also offers an opportunity to take up an apprenticeship to gain a formal qualification in animal welfare.

 

Work experience is currently being undertaken by yr11 students who are involved in a variety of horticultural and animal welfare duties on a daily basis.

 

Ofsted inspectors recognised the unique opportunity provided for our students, parents and local TRA members to have hands on learning experience both on the farm and in the horticultural allotments also provided at the school.

 

The further development of the farm will see several raised beds installed with additional animal enclosures built providing a more suitable educational visiting area and social work area around the community farm.

 

We continue to work and encourage local TRA members to develop their involvement within and around the school. Originally taking on board an allotment provided by the school Mr Nigel Freeman has become a member of staff undertaking the role of Senior Exam Invigilator – welcome on all counts.

 

The Herb Garden has recently been revamped and replanted with a variety of herbs and salad crop to be used in our Food and Technology departments that include Mint, Chives, Coriander and Parsley, while the older Sage and Fennel beds remain. To ease maintenance the old grass paths have been replaced with recycled bark chippings and the border frames replaced with new.