Local agricultural and animal businesses support our students’ development
Five Year 10 pupils (George, Archie F, Archie G, Riley and Joe) have taken part in a rural skills programme delivered by The Cotswold Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The boys visited fully operational farms around Gloucestershire to learn and develop key agricultural skills.
One of the highlights of the sessions is when the group visited Guiting Manor Farm and learned how to drive tractors whilst pulling trailers. They also made bird boxes and learned how to bag up kindling.
Showing excellent leadership, the group worked with Great Rollright Primary School pupils with the Farm Ed organisation Oxfordshire, helping to lead nature walks, scavenger hunts, pond-dipping and bug-hunting activities. Programme leader, James Webb of Cotswolds National Landscape, commented on how mature the boys were during the primary school workshops and how the previous eight months of rural activities had given them the confidence to share their knowledge with others.
Also at Farm Ed, they did some practical weeding work market garden and learnt about the setup and economics of semi-autonomous farm enterprises.
George said, “The rural skills sessions have given me the opportunity to learn agricultural skills I never thought I would have. All the boys have learned so much and had lots of fun at the same time. This is hopefully going to support us in the future finding employment in the agricultural industry.”
James said, “It has been great fun working with this smashing group of lads from The Cotswold School over the last few months. They have got stuck into all the activities. We’re going to miss you boys, good luck for the future! A big thank you to Thames Water for funding this work and giving young people some amazing opportunities.”
Equestrian Centre teaching horse management
Ten more pupils have developed knowledge of horse management, through sessions with the team at Bourton Vale Equestrian Centre. It has also been great for building their confidence.
The equine centre staff commented on how professional the students were during the sessions and how all of them have developed their equine skills.
A massive thank you from The Cotswold School to Leanne, Julia and the staff at Bourton Vale Equine Centre.
Birdland supports students to build new skills
A small group of pupils have been working at Birdland in Bourton-on-the-Water one afternoon a week during this academic year, carrying out bird keeper duties, which include feeding the penguins and mucking out the reptiles.
Read more about the Birdland experience for our pupils here.
