Burford School’s extensive grounds provide the ideal backdrop to Countryside Live, a unique event allowing students to explore the wide variety of rural activities and opportunities on their doorstep.
Students will engage with individual craftsmen and specialists, allowing them to learn first-hand about rural skills; from walling to fencing, sheepdog handling to shearing. For those with a leaning towards mechanics or engineering, the rich and varied collection of farm machinery, some with computer aided technology, will provide inspiration and there will be a chance to learn about training for employment within the land based industry from a number of visiting educational institutions.
Grand opening of ‘The Acre’ – launching Oxfordshire’s only GCSE in Environmental Land Based Science
During the Countryside Live day, Burford School will be launching a new GCSE in Environmental Land Based Science. Burford is currently the only school to provide this in Oxfordshire and at 5.00pm they have a mystery guest who will officially open ‘The Acre’ - a key resource for the course. This will also be attended by a number of local VIPs.
Since the site was cleared in March, the students have worked tirelessly, clearing, digging and planting to prepare for the grand opening. The site has taken on a community feel with many donations generously being made by parents, friends, and local businesses. The farming community have been enthusiastic in their support and invitations have poured in offering opportunities for the students to gain wider experience throughout their course.
Writing and the Countryside: A talk by Sir Andrew Motion, former Poet Laureate
The grand finale to Burford School’s Countryside Live day is a talk by Sir Andrew Motion, former Poet Laureate and Chairman of the Campaign to Protect Rural England, whose interest in the countryside is well known.
His talk, entitled ‘Writing and the Countryside’, will take place at 6.00pm in the Main Hall. Tickets are available from the School Reception and the Madhatter Bookshop in Burford. (Adults: £5/Concessions: £3 Under18s: £1)
For more about Burford School, visit: www.burford.oxon.sch.uk
