As a traditional agricultural show with its charitable roots in agricultural education we have a large ongoing education programme run with the help of Hampshire Country Learning and involving 13 primary schools in and around the Winchester area.
Hampshire Country Learning
Enabling learning through experience
ALRESFORD SHOW COUNTRYSIDE EDUCATION PROJECT 2010
As a traditional agricultural show with its charitable roots in agricultural education we have a large ongoing education programme run with the help of Hampshire Country Learning and involving
13 primary schools in and around the Winchester area. Countryside Projects help the children broaden their understanding of the land, wildlife and how food is produced.
This year with a greater number of schools involved we are able to award a Junior and an Infant prize to the schools judged to have made the most use of farm visits in their teaching and learning. We are pleased to announce that the Junior winner is Medstead CE Primary School and the Infant winner is Micheldever CE Primary School. Every child who took part in the project has been given a 2010 Alresford Show and Little Red Tractor T-shirt. The trophies will be publically presented at the Alresford Show (4th September) at 2.30pm.
Judge’s comments about the school projects (schools listed in alphabetical order)
All Saints CE Primary - 27 YR & Y1 children visited Chilton Manor Farm in May. Following their visit they had produced salt dough insects a lovely display of paintings, writing and postcards written to their insects. Children enthusiastically talked us through photos of their visit.
Cheriton Primary – The whole school had been involved in a topic entitled ‘Nature Around Us’. Y2 children visited Middle Farm, Cheriton. Good writing, cam toys, artwork and collages. Interesting display of weaving, aboriginal art and healthy eating included. Good presentation by the children from each class in the school.
Denmead Junior - Y4 pupils gave a good presentation of work following a visit to Bereleigh Estate. Incorporating posters and powerpoint presentations. The work was all child initiated. The children showed us their work with enthusiasm and answered questions which showed clearly that they had learned and profited from their visit.
Four Marks Primary – Y3 & Y4 pupils visited Chawton Park Farm. Follow up work displayed in large interesting and informative collages. Three groups of articulate children who became very animated when asked specifically about the visits and animals they had seen. Areas of learning included sheep, deer, habitats, history and woodland. Excellent collage in the ‘Rousseau’ style.
Hambledon Infant – Y2 children had visited The Holt Farm and clearly enjoyed the day. Talking tins were used to record the childrens’ thoughts about the visit. Good photos and cereals display which the children talked enthusiastically about including a photo of a wasp nest.
Itchen Abbas Primary – Y3&4 pupils had visited the Avington Trout Farm and conducted a river study. Detailed work in books, beautiful artwork and poetry, good photo display. Excellent 3D models of dragonflies. The children talked in detail about their work and had enjoyed their visits.
Medstead CE Primary – Y5 pupils visited Chilton Manor Farm termly. Visits to other local farms had also taken place to see chickens, cows, pigs, gun dog training, farrier. An excellent “Countryfile” film had been developed which covered all aspects of their farm visits. “Weather girl” an added bonus! Display work included stunning photos taken by the children which are being entered into a national competition, farm maths problems, production of wildlife cards, local history study, river work, textiles and more. The topic has embraced all areas of the curriculum and the children reported how much they have enjoyed learning about food and farming and the countryside. Beautiful artwork, enthusiastic children and staff.
Micheldever CE Primary – KS1 pupils enthusiastically described their farm visits. Displays were informative and well planned. Farm visit to nearby farm to see machinery, to Sparsholt for livestock and Riverford Organic for vegetable growing, packaging and retailing. The visits had been fully integrated into the classroom including a veg box scheme role play area. Pupils had grown vegetables in their own allotment and made pesto. Bread making had taken place linked to the story of The Little Red Hen.
Preston Candover CE Primary – Y3&4 pupils had visited Preston Farms as part of a larger Woodland / Environmental project. Excellent and efficient displays on DT, how to make a wildlife animal from felt, soap carving. Dramatic poetry on acid rain. ‘Rousseau’ collages, poems and letters all excellent. Independent learning and contributions on ‘wonderful woodlands’ and ‘ lasting landscapes’. Whole of curriculum covered.
Ropley Primary – Y1 & YR pupils visited Windmill Farm twice in the year. The Y1 children’s topic has been grass growing from seed to harvest and the connection with sheep feeding. In school children had made grass monsters and grown a football pitch and thought about other uses of grass. YR had made some wonderful natural art sheep. Pupils enthusiastically talked through photos from their visits particularly about the lambs.
Sun Hill Junior - The two teachers and their Y5 classes had put an enormous amount of effort into the project over the year visiting West Tisted Manor Estate each term. Every area of the curriculum had been covered and displayed and the children were justly proud of their work which was displayed in an exhibition for parents to come and enjoy. Excellent display, enthusiastic children and staff and every part of the curriculum covered, French included. Bluebell paintings, description and poems, good artwork, crops measuring. Life cycle of oil seed rape as a narrative from the perspective of the seed. Imaginative tapestry. Link to global environmental issues.
Sun Hill Infant – Y1 pupils had visited Laverstoke Park and focussed on vegetables and herbs. In school a superb potato project was developed. Children expertly talked us through their work including vocabulary such as ‘crop rotation’ and ‘chitting’. Children had designed vegetable plots, grown and harvested potatoes and cooked potato recipes. A potato cook book has been produced and children have been involved in soup and cook book retailing. Well set out and good presentation by four children.
Western Primary - Two Y5 classes had visited Holden Farm. Very good presentation in groups including powerpoints and poster displays of sheep production, health and safety on farms and cereal production . Model of farm and ‘box’ with information written on sides. Good presentation of farming through the ages. Work all child led and professionally presented.
