Countryside Classroom in Action

CRAZY COMPOST

Tuesday 19 April 2022

Use this collection of resources to find out how to compost, why it is so important to do and what amazing creatures enable composting to happen.

EASTER REVISION

Tuesday 5 April 2022

Use these fantastic food, farming, and environment themed Easter revision activities to help prepare for the forthcoming GCSE and A Level exams.

WILD WATER

Monday 14 March 2022

With World Water Day approaching on the 22 nd March, why not spark your students' interest with these wonderful worksheets, activity packs, field work advice and free training opportunities!

WORLD BOOK DAY

Thursday 17 February 2022

Why not discover reading with these wonderful world book day resources all linked to food, farming and the countryside?

CONSIDERING CAREERS?

Thursday 17 February 2022

Considering careers that involve food, farming or countryside.

Do you teach or home school 4 - 5 year olds? If so this delightful range of resources dedicated to early years foundation stage will be just the thing to deliver the curriculum in a fun and exciting way!

KEY STAGE 1

Friday 4 February 2022

Do you teach or home tutor 5 - 7 year olds? If so this collection of curriculum linked activities about food, farming and the countryside are dedicated just for key stage 1 .

KEY STAGE 2

Friday 4 February 2022

This Key Stage 2 blog is dedicated to those of you who teach or home tutor 7 - 11 year olds, you will find a wide range of curriculum linked activities that are all linked to food, farming and the countryside.

BIRDY SURVEYS

Wednesday 26 January 2022

Watching birds is a fantastic, fun and free activity. Be inspired with this brilliant range of birdy related activities.

PLASTIC POLLUTION

Friday 7 January 2022

Peruse these resources all about plastic pollution and what we can all do to reduce the use of plastic.

SEASONAL ARTS & CRAFTS

Monday 13 December 2021

AMAZING ARTS & CRAFTS IDEAS

WONDERFUL WOODLAND

Monday 29 November 2021

Use these terrific resources all about trees to inspire children to take an interest in woodland management.

SUPER SCIENCE

Monday 22 November 2021

Sample these super science actvities

AUTUMN ACTIVITIES

Friday 22 October 2021

Embrace the beginning of the Autumn period with these seasonal resources.

COP26 - CLIMATE CHANGE

Wednesday 20 October 2021

Help your students learn more about the causes , effects and solutions of global climate change with this new Global Farming series produce by LEAF Education.

HEALTHY EATING

Wednesday 29 September 2021

Feed children's hungry minds and bodies with these healthy eating resources

SETTING UP A SCHOOL GARDEN

Monday 13 September 2021

Look here for all the information you need to set up a school garden.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

Monday 19 July 2021

Use these exciting resources and fun activity ideas to inspire children to get outdoors over the summer break.

Countryside Classroom Passport

Monday 5 July 2021

Print out this perfect summer activity booklet and challenge young children to investigate a wide range of topical issues.

WELCOME TO THE SUMMER

Monday 21 June 2021

Sample some of these super summer activities and resources

FARMING FORTNIGHT - 7th - 18th JUNE

Sunday 13 June 2021

Find out about what funky new resources our partners have been launching during farming fortnight.

OUTDOOR CLASSROOM DAY

Monday 17 May 2021

Take learning outdoors this week to get fresh air and learn about nature!

GLOBAL LEARNING

Tuesday 4 May 2021

Check out these great global learning resources to help children understand where their food comes from.

SPRING INTO ACTION

Monday 26 April 2021

Help children spring into action with this splendid range of resources all suited to the season.

EASTER REVISION FOR GCSE

Monday 12 April 2021

Help your child prepare for their forthcoming assessments with these worksheets and exam style resources.

BIODIVERSITY

Monday 29 March 2021

Spring into action with these brilliant biodiversity activities!

CRAFTING AND DRAWING

Monday 15 March 2021

Get creative with these canny crafting and colouring ideas

COOKING & BAKING

Sunday 7 March 2021

Crazy outdoor cooking and brilliant indoor baking ideas.

HOME EDUCATION HUB - CULTIVATING & PROPAGATING

Monday 1 March 2021

Pick up some tips on cultivating and propagating in your home or school garden

HOME EDUCATION HUB - CAREERS IN THE COUNTRYSIDE

Monday 22 February 2021

Check out these cool careers resources

HOME EDUCATION HUB - CARING FOR YOUR WELLBEING

Monday 15 February 2021

Wonderful Ways to Improve your Wellbeing

HOME EDUCATION HUB - ART & DESIGN

Monday 8 February 2021

Amazing Art Activities

HOME EDUCATION HUB - HUMANITIES

Monday 1 February 2021

Helpful Humanities Resources

HOME EDUCATION HUB - SCIENCE

Monday 25 January 2021

Super Science resources!

HOME EDUCATION HUB - MATHS

Monday 18 January 2021

Try these marvellous Maths resources

HOME EDUCATION HUB -ENGLISH

Monday 11 January 2021

English

CONSCIOUS CONSUMERS

Monday 23 November 2020

Competition time

SEASONAL RESOURCES

Thursday 29 October 2020

Check out these fantastic resources perfect for this time of year!

BIOLOGY WEEK

Monday 5 October 2020

Biology week, link to resources

Calling all Educators!

Monday 28 September 2020

Re-energize, refresh and revitalize.

RESOURCES: The National Curriculum ... but outdoors

Tuesday 14 July 2020

Teaching outdoors is now more relevant and valuable than ever. This blog explains why, and how a new book series can help

HOME EDUCATION HUB: Learning with nature

Monday 13 July 2020

Ideas and activities to last the whole summer, using the natural world for both formal learning in school subjects and informal learning for personal development

HOME EDUCATION HUB: Farming videos

Monday 6 July 2020

Want to know the difference between beef and dairy cattle, how a combine harvester works, or why sheep have to be shorn? You’ll find the answers in these short, engaging videos providing a snapshot of the world of farming

HOME EDUCATION HUB: Where food comes from - milk, butter and cheese

Monday 29 June 2020

All about dairy farming and the foods it produces.

HOME EDUCATION HUB: Sustainability

Monday 22 June 2020

Activities and investigations exploring the topic of sustainability, with an emphasis on farming and nature.

HOME EDUCATION HUB: Summer activities

Monday 15 June 2020

We may not venture far this summer, but we can all make jelly, make a paper boat and make up stories; and enjoy learning something new together

Farming Fortnight Week 2

Monday 8 June 2020

We hope you enjoyed the first week of Farming Fortnight, learning about farm animals and crops. Week two follows a similar format, with topics from cows to careers

Farming Fortnight Week 1

Monday 1 June 2020

Farming Fortnight is a two-week odyssey through British farming, providing ten snapshots of this vital and fascinating industry. Originally developed for use in schools, the materials are equally suitable for discovering the world of agriculture with children of all ages at home.

HOME EDUCATION HUB: Science and maths

Monday 25 May 2020

A variety of activities that don't feel like school but still result in lots of learning.

HOME EDUCATION HUB: Countryside crafts

Monday 18 May 2020

From printing with cauliflower florets to the ancient skills of weaving and feltmaking, this selection of simple projects has something for everyone.

HOME EDUCATION HUB: Cooking

Monday 11 May 2020

Find recipes designed for cooking with children - from toddlers to teenagers - and pointers to the many learning opportunities in the kitchen.

HOME EDUCATION HUB: Investigating bugs and bees

Monday 4 May 2020

Explore the diverse and fascinating world of minibeasts with our varied resources

HOME EDUCATION HUB: Where food comes from - wheat and bread

Monday 27 April 2020

Discover how wheat is grown and harvested, and how bread is made

HOME EDUCATION HUB: Games, puzzles and simple makes

Monday 20 April 2020

Ideas for games to play, puzzles to solve, and simple things to make - all with a food, farming or countryside theme

HOME EDUCATION HUB: Growing veg

Thursday 9 April 2020

This week's blog features growing vegetables at home, and on the farm

HOME EDUCATION HUB: Activities for spring

Sunday 5 April 2020

Free, themed resources for teachers and parents to use for home education

SCHOOL STORIES: Our school garden

Wednesday 25 March 2020

Our recent competition to win tools and equipment from Spear and Jackson generated interesting stories from schools around the country showing how they are using gardening to enrich their teaching and the many benefits that accrue

RESOURCES: Free healthy-eating posters

Wednesday 11 March 2020

For Healthy Eating Week (8-14 Jun) BNF are providing the first 8,000 registrants with a free pack of printed posters to support this year’s seven challenges

NEWS: It's all about you (and us!)

Wednesday 19 February 2020

How has Countryside Classroom helped you? Tell us your story, show us what works, help us to inspire others - and get the chance to win £25

CASE STUDY: Welsh reconnection

Wednesday 22 January 2020

Visit Wales has designated 2020 as the Year of Outdoors. Read how one Cardiff primary school learned to use outdoor learning across the whole curriculum

HOW TO: Make something fantastic with your plastic

Wednesday 1 January 2020

From a bug home to a full-size greenhouse, eight imaginative ideas for re-using waste plastic, courtesy of the Royal Horticultural Society

NEWS: Bayer-LEAF Education Awards

Wednesday 18 December 2019

And the winners are... great advocates for education about, and through, agriculture and horticulture

CASE STUDY: Future foresters?

Wednesday 27 November 2019

Over 130 children from four schools in Andover have been getting hands-on experience of forestry management thanks to a partnership between Andover Trees United and Englefield Estate.

RESEARCH: Learning Away evaluated

Wednesday 20 November 2019

A new study confirms the profound and transformative impact that residential experiences can have on pupils. Findings also conclude that this impact is significantly greater for vulnerable pupils.

PROGRAMME: Honey bees in schools

Wednesday 13 November 2019

The Honey Bee Programme run by School Food Matters is designed to raise awareness of the importance of honey bees and offers schools visits from enthusiastic beekeepers from the London Beekeepers Association (LBKA)

PROGRAMME: Junior Park Rangers

Wednesday 6 November 2019

The Parks Trust in Milton Keynes offers a school-based Junior Park Ranger project designed to engage young people with the natural world. It’s free to join, inclusive and non-competitive, simple to run and is fully supported by their Outdoor Learning Team!

CASE STUDY: Renewable energy on the farm

Wednesday 30 October 2019

Year 8 geography students from Imberhorne School in West Sussex visited a wind farm and a solar farm to investigate renewable energy generation

EVENT: Roast Dinner Day, Wed 13 Nov

Thursday 24 October 2019

Registration is now open for Roast Dinner Day, when hundreds of schools across the country will open their doors to grandparents, toddlers and everyone in between to share a delicious and healthy lunch. Sign up for your free resource pack

NEWS: Planting healthy air in schools

Wednesday 16 October 2019

St Paul’s CE Primary School in Hammersmith has been rated among London's worst schools for air pollution, but now an innovative new programme is set to improve things for children and teachers alike

NEWS: Trainee teachers sold on outdoor learning

Wednesday 9 October 2019

LEAF Education inspires ITT students to use the working countryside to deliver the national curriculum for pupils of all ages

RESOURCES: Biology Week 5-13 Oct

Wednesday 2 October 2019

Biology Week aims to showcase the world of the biosciences. How better to join in than with some hand-picked Countryside Classroom resources

RESOURCES: Outdoor learning environments

Wednesday 25 September 2019

Eden Play has been creating natural educational environments inspired by trees, water, sand, mud and insects – all the things children tell us they want in their outdoors!

NEWS: Audit your food resources

Wednesday 18 September 2019

A new set of voluntary guidelines help facilitate a good practice approach by those that use and produce education resources for schools about food.

NEWS: CBeebies star at Kids Country

Wednesday 11 September 2019

JB Gill is really passionate about connecting children with food, farming and the environment, and helping these children see the future careers they can find in farming

RESEARCH: How pupils view learning outside

Wednesday 31 July 2019

New research from Swansea University has found that pupils feel a sense of freedom when learning outside the classroom, they are more able to express themselves, more engaged and more positive about the learning experience

NEWS: Insights from the School Farms Conference

Wednesday 24 July 2019

The recent conference showcased the many benefits of school farms

RESEARCH: 100 Edible Playgrounds and what they've achieved

Wednesday 17 July 2019

Read how they support schools and how to get the best from them

NEWS: Welsh winners

Wednesday 10 July 2019

A national farming competition to bring teenagers closer to farming and how their food is produced has been won by Ysgol Henry Richard

HOW TO: Bring the outdoors indoors

Wednesday 3 July 2019

A thought-provoking piece from a British teacher now living in California and recently certified as a Green Classroom Professional

EVENTS: London market days 4-11 July

Wednesday 26 June 2019

School Food Matters has a whole series of market days around London in July

RESEARCH: Playtime matters

Wednesday 19 June 2019

Minimum time for outdoor play at school is key to improving children’s mental health

RESOURCES: Healthy Eating Week starts here

Monday 10 June 2019

BNF Healthy Eating Week (10-14 June) is a great way to show that health and wellbeing are important to your nursery, school or workplace! Registration is free and will give you access to downloadable resources and health promoting ideas

NEWS: RHET celebrates 20 years

Wednesday 5 June 2019

The Royal Highland Education Trust (RHET) is marking its 20th anniversary with a charity tractor tour of Scotland

NEWS: It's Market Monday!

Monday 3 June 2019

Farming Fortnight starts today with Market Monday, asking the question 'What is farming?'. Find ten days of resources, devised with input from school students, to help you find the answer to this and many other questions about modern farming

RESOURCES: Beef and dairy cattle

Wednesday 29 May 2019

There are nearly 10 million cattle - beef and dairy - in the UK, playing a major role in British farming and food production. Learning about cattle and their significance can provide teaching material for many curriculum areas and all age groups, and our website has many resources to support you.

RESOURCES: 30 Days Wild

Tuesday 21 May 2019

The Wildlife Trusts’ annual nature challenge is back for its 5th year and it’s wilder than ever!

RESOURCES: Farming Fortnight 3-14 June

Wednesday 15 May 2019

Celebrate Market Monday, Tractor Tuesday, Woolly Wednesday and more! Focus on British farming and food production with two-weeks worth of new resources from LEAF Education, tailored to all ages

SCHOOL STORY: Leeks from soil to soup bowl

Tuesday 7 May 2019

Children from Symondsbury Primary School’s gardening club took their green fingers to the kitchen during a visit to the Discover Farming classroom at Washingpool Farm

COMPETITION: CLOtC Schools Prize Draw

Wednesday 1 May 2019

As part of their 10-year anniversary celebrations, the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom (CLOtC) is offering schools across the UK the chance to win one of many brilliant learning outside the classroom experiences, kindly donated by LOTC Quality Badge providers. A free day at Magdalen Farm (pictured) is one of the second phase prizes; entry deadline is 3 Jul

CASE STUDY: Green gains

Wednesday 24 April 2019

Research indicates that the use of green space or green exercising improves health. See how they achieve it at Yorkshire Arboretum

RESEARCH: Benefits of Forest School

Wednesday 17 April 2019

'It is the best thing the school has implemented without doubt.' A research project conducted by Derbyshire Environmental Studies Service highlights the health and wellbeing benefits of Forest School programmes

HOW TO: Start a school farm

Wednesday 10 April 2019

A five-point plan to creating and maintaining a successful school farm, from an experienced school farmer in Kent

NEWS: LTL developments

Wednesday 3 April 2019

Learning through Landscapes delivers services across the UK and internationally, but has done so under many different names, including Grounds for Learning in Scotland. In future, they will use Learning through Landscapes (LtL) for all their charitable activities. They also have an attractive new website supporting all their services

PROGRAMME: Chefs Back to School

Wednesday 27 March 2019

Food Teacher’s Centre has successfully piloted its Chefs Back to School programme, under which student chefs return to their original secondary school. They provide a practical demonstration to an examination class and describe their own course and future career prospects

NEWS: Lost Words widely shared

Wednesday 20 March 2019

Trees for Cities launched their Lost Words campaign on World Book Day (Mar 7) and are now poised to send copies to nearly 2000 London primary schools

CASE STUDY: Breaking the Fast

Wednesday 13 March 2019

Focusing on the value of breakfast, Newbury and District Agricultural Society's school-based workshops embrace cooking, physical activity, farming and gardening

RESOURCES: Lambing time

Wednesday 6 March 2019

Miller's Ark Animals sent this enchanting photo of their first Devon and Cornwall lamb of the season. It arrived in the snow at the start of February and needed a little warming up. If you're planning a farm visit at lambing time here's a selection of our resources to support learning before, during and after the event

NEWS: Bayer-LEAF Education Awards

Wednesday 20 February 2019

You are invited to join in the nomination process for the Bayer-LEAF Education awards, celebrating all the great work that farmers and those involved in agriculture do to inspire young people about farming, what it delivers and why it matters. Nominations close on 21 March 2019

RESOURCE: FaceTime a Farmer

Wednesday 13 February 2019

How a Merseyside secondary school hooked up with a Devon poultry farmer, and what they found out about each other

COMPETITION: Game with a modern twist

Tuesday 12 February 2019

Create a unique game recipe that looks and tastes delicious, is seasonal, local and quick to cook. Entries close 1st March

VOLUNTEER VACANCY: Trustee for The Country Trust

Friday 8 February 2019

The Country Trust, a Countryside Classroom partner that brings food, farming and the working countryside alive for those children least able to access it, are recruiting a Trustee with an educational background

RESOURCES: Seeds and grains

Wednesday 6 February 2019

Whether its growing, crafting, farming, eating or learning - we've got sackfuls of resources on all aspects of grains and other seeds, from worksheets to videos, and from simple seed-raising experiments to understanding the machinery used in wheat production.

NEWS: Congratulations to Teaching Trees

Wednesday 30 January 2019

The Royal Forestry Society’s Teaching Trees programme, which brings primary schools together with local woods and woodland owners, has received the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom’s LOtC Quality Badge mark.

COMPETITIONS: Innovative challenge for teenagers - deadline extended

Wednesday 23 January 2019

Schools from across the UK are being invited to take part in a national food, farming and environment competition aimed at opening young people’s eyes to the world of farming and food production

IDEAS: Winter gardening activities

Wednesday 23 January 2019

If you're looking for inspiration, check out these three great indoor activities from Garden Organic's Food Growing Schools: London project

The Prince's Countryside Fund supports land-based training

Wednesday 16 January 2019

Two projects providing training for young people interested in a rural career are among recent recipients of gramts from The Prince's Countryside Fund

Youth attitudes to sustainability

Wednesday 19 December 2018

SEEd (Sustainability and Environmental Education) want to find out more about how young people across the UK are feeling about sustainability and climate issues and ask if you know and/or work with young people to share the survey with them

New guidance for school visits

Wednesday 12 December 2018

The Department for Education (DfE) has published new guidance for health and safety on educational visits

Farmvention on the road

Wednesday 5 December 2018

NFU Education have been spreading the word on food and farming, and their current primary school competition, during an action-packed visit to a school in Leeds

Sensory stories

Wednesday 21 November 2018

Sensory stories are an amazing resource which enable children and adults for whom traditional story-telling methods are inaccessible to access and enjoy narratives alongside their peers

Help restore our lost words

Thursday 15 November 2018

Words describing nature are disappearing from the Junior Oxford Dictionary. Trees for Cities are aiming to reconnect children with nature by delivering a copy of The Lost Words to every primary school in London

Food and Farming Inside and Outside the Classroom

Wednesday 14 November 2018

The Food and Farming Inside and Outside the Classroom programme provides an opportunity for trainee teachers to update their own understanding of modern farming on a variety of different farms.

Seasonal resources

Wednesday 7 November 2018

Ten top resources for November/December based around seasonality and, of course, Christmas

Talking farming to teenagers

Thursday 1 November 2018

How do 12-18 year olds view food and farming? Find out with LEAF Education's pioneering research

Not just for Halloween

Wednesday 24 October 2018

There's more to pumpkins than making Halloween lanterns, fun though they are. Use them for cookery, craft, maths, science and more

Get ready for Outdoor Classroom Day!

Friday 19 October 2018

1 November is Outdoor Classroom Day, a global campaign to inspire and celebrate outdoor learning and play. On the day, thousands of schools around the world take lessons outside and prioritise playtime.

Wool Week

Wednesday 10 October 2018

The Campaign for Wool’s annual Wool Week runs from 8th to 21st October. For everything woolly, from sheep breeds to lambing, felt making to model sheep, we have the resources to support your teaching both inside and outside the classroom

Get the bug

Wednesday 3 October 2018

Bugs, mini-beasts, creepy crawlies, invertebrates, whatever you call them, autumn is the ideal time to investigate their small world, learn their life stories, and find out how to encourage them

Seeds galore!

Wednesday 26 September 2018

The Seed Gathering Season has just begun so there's plenty of time to join in by collecting local seeds, fruits and nuts and growing the trees of the future.

More chefs Adopt a School

Wednesday 19 September 2018

The Royal Academy of Culinary Arts Adopt a School programme is looking forward to a record-breaking new academic year, getting more chefs than ever into schools to share their skills, knowledge and passion for food

Embedding outdoor learning

Wednesday 12 September 2018

Starting this term, Learning With Nature will be working with St. Joseph’s Catholic Primary School in Nympsfield, Gloucestershire, to embed outdoor learning into their school curriculum.

Seasonal selection

Sunday 9 September 2018

Ten top resources for September/October on the theme of harvest

Sustainability resources

Wednesday 18 July 2018

From energy to litter, climate change to food security, sustainability is an issue that affects us all. It's an important element in all three of Countryside Classroom's key themes: food, farming and the natural environment, so it's not surprising we have some good resources on the subject, ranging from a single factsheet to a complete website

Holiday competition

Wednesday 18 July 2018

Encourage your students (14-17) to connect with nature and get creative with Earthwatch’s environmental short film competition

Building confidence in outdoor learning

Wednesday 11 July 2018

Grow to School are helping more teachers develop their outdoor learning skills, with benefits to all involved

Bees' Needs Week 9-15 Jul

Monday 9 July 2018

Co-ordinated by Defra, and supported by several Countryside Classroom partners, the week aims to encourage everyone to help our valuable insect pollinators. We also have resources to help

Seasonal resources

Wednesday 4 July 2018

Our summertime selection focuses on watery locations, and activities for holiday clubs

Find a food ambassador

Wednesday 27 June 2018

Food Education is not always well understood by senior leadership teams. One way to raise the profile of the subject and show its value is to work with a Food Ambassador

LEAF Education is born

Wednesday 20 June 2018

FACE, well known for supporting teachers and farmers to help young people experience our wonderful countryside, has now merged with LEAF. How does this benefit you as a teacher?

RHS I Can Grow

Tuesday 12 June 2018

I Can Grow is a new, exciting project from the RHS offering young people the chance to discover the power of plants and their benefits to them, the community and the wider world

Support for healthy eating

Wednesday 6 June 2018

In Healthy Eating Week (11-15 Jun) we're all encouraged to understand more about healthy eating and drinking; being active; food provenance and cooking. For a selection of relevant Countryside Classroom resources, click below

Newbury Challenge 2018

Wednesday 30 May 2018

Nine schools and colleges entered teams in the 2018 Agricultural Challenge for Special Education hosted by The Newbury and District Agricultural Society at the end of April

Visit a show!

Wednesday 23 May 2018

Many events hosted by agricultural societies around the country have special provision for schools, children and learning, ensuring there is always plenty to do and see

Royal seal of approval

Wednesday 16 May 2018

Saturday 19th sees the wedding of the year, and The Wilderness Foundation has more to celebrate than most

Advice and resources for farm visits

Tuesday 8 May 2018

Make the most of your Open Farm School Day with our advice and resources

Seasonal selection

Monday 30 April 2018

Ten top resources for May and June, with a focus on biodiversity, habitats and wildlife

Award for FTC founder

Tuesday 24 April 2018

Congratulations to Louise Davies, founder of the Food Teachers Centre, who received the award for Outstanding Contribution to Design and Technology from the D&T Association in March

The Country Trust at 40

Tuesday 17 April 2018

This year sees The Country Trust celebrate 40 years of helping children with limited opportunities experience food, farming and the countryside

New trail at Skelton Grange

Tuesday 10 April 2018

New adventure trial and improved wildlife area now open for exploration

International Carrot Day

Tuesday 3 April 2018

Even carrots have their own special day, 4th April, and why not? Carrots are a significant UK crop, easy to grow in a school garden, and a healthy ingredient for many delicious recipes. Find out more with these Countryside Classroom resources

London schools grow their own business

Wednesday 28 March 2018

Garden Organic celebrate their 60th anniversary this year. Here's just one of their current projects

Local School Nature Grants open!

Wednesday 21 March 2018

Apply now for a chance to receive £500-worth of nature equipment

Brogdale branches out

Wednesday 14 March 2018

Brogdale Collections is famous worldwide for their 150-acre fruit collection, but their education department is working in some less expected areas too

Seasonal selection

Tuesday 6 March 2018

Ten top resources for March and April, reflecting spring lambing and the start of the growing season

How my school farm inspired me

Thursday 8 February 2018

How school-farm experience inspired a life-long career

Welcome to Fun Kitchen!

Thursday 8 February 2018

Fab, fun, food education is what Fun Kitchen are all about and they've recently been welcomed as a new Countryside Classroom Partner

Helping pollinators

Thursday 8 February 2018

Polli:Nation aims to engage children and young people in learning about and helping pollinating insects

Food, farming and nature at Sacrewell

Thursday 8 February 2018

Primary school children are enjoying a new residential offer at Sacrewell, near Peterborough

UK Agriculture and social care

Friday 5 January 2018

A recent report shows the value of care farming both to the community and the farms that provide it

Reduce, reuse, recycle

Friday 5 January 2018

Teaching about sustainability is an important strand in all three Countryside Classroom themes

FaceTime a Farmer

Friday 5 January 2018

Are you looking for exciting new ways to engage your students directly with the world of farming? Then the new FaceTime/Skype a Farmer initiative from LEAF and FACE could be for you

Discover organic farming and wildlife

Friday 5 January 2018

Learning about the wild species that can be found on organic farms adds another dimension to children’s understanding of farming and how farmers manage land for wildlife. It can tie in easily with geography, science and food technology, as well as literacy and numeracy

Fang-tastic beasts

Friday 5 January 2018

Writtle University College recently held a special event for Year 10 and 11 students thinking about taking an Animal Studies course

LOtC Awards

Friday 5 January 2018

Leading practitioners in the world of learning outside the classroom (LOtC) have been recognised as ‘LOtC Heroes’ for making a significant impact on the lives of children and young people through their commitment and dedication to providing and/or championing exciting and inspiring learning outside the classroom opportunities

STEAM-Ed Vegetables: farming as a canvas for all learning

Friday 21 July 2017

Farming at the Festival of Education 2017 - ideas on how to use farming to create inspiring and integrated STEAM learning in primary and secondary schools.

Remarkable Rivers

Tuesday 4 April 2017

Did you know that there are over 6000 rivers in Britain? 30 of these are over 70 miles long – longer than most of our motorways. With so many rivers throughout the country, there are many opportunities for schools to engage with our remarkable river systems and use them as a key opportunity for learning.

Use your senses

Tuesday 21 March 2017

Learning outdoors offers so many new and exciting opportunities for pupils and can be even more powerful when teachers explore how to include the five senses in key learning activities. This article explores some ways in which the senses can be incorporated into lessons, both in and out of the classroom.

Farming fun in the school holidays

Monday 6 March 2017

Farm visits can take place throughout the year, not just in term time and The Country Trust have a new initiative to engage pupils in all the fun of the farm during School Holidays.

Birdwatching at school

Tuesday 14 February 2017

Research has shown that getting closer to nature is really good for us. One way to foster a love of the outdoors is to help our pupils discover more about the birds we see in our gardens and in the school grounds.

What has 2016 taught us?

Monday 19 December 2016

Dan Corlett explains what the Countryside Classroom partnership has learnt in 2016 as a result of three guiding pieces of research carried out by the consortium. Importantly - what can you do in leading a movement?

In the bleak mid-winter

Friday 16 December 2016

Is winter really so bleak?

What's the weather doing today?

Friday 2 December 2016

Whatever the time of year, weather is a popular topic that can fit into a wide variety of curriculum areas.

"The chicken and the egg": New Research from Countryside Classroom

Tuesday 15 November 2016

New research on teachers' views and educational practice around food, farming and the natural environment

How can I use farming topics in the classroom?

Thursday 10 November 2016

Food and the natural environment are popular topics in the classroom but how can teachers incorporate the subject of farming that ties these two things together?

Celebrate harvest

Tuesday 4 October 2016

What's harvest all about? Use resources on Countryside Classroom to investigate and celebrate this special time of year.

These pupils aren't sluggish!

Wednesday 14 September 2016

Y7 pupils tackle a challenge set by a local farmer and on the way enhance their skills of research, team working and presentation. An example of collaborative working between a school, a farm and a research institute.

Display autumn colours | competition giveaway!

Friday 26 August 2016

A garden can be a lucky dip of autumn treasures such as berries. If a quick scout around shows you are in luck then capture the moment with a temporary collage showcasing the autumn's colours and textures.

A visit from a mobile farm

Thursday 14 July 2016

Find out what happens when your playground is transformed into a farm yard with a visit from a mobile farm.

Get set for Healthy Eating Week 2016

Thursday 9 June 2016

The best healthy eating resources for Healthy Eating Week 2016, 13-17 June.

Talking about Open Farm Sunday in the classroom

Thursday 2 June 2016

Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to visit a farm this weekend. If your pupils have been inspired by a farm visit, build on their experience with these resources and activities.

Why are farms open on Sunday?

Thursday 2 June 2016

Sunday 5th June is Open Farm Sunday, an annual event where farms all over the country welcome the public onto their land to find out more about farming. Frances Harris looks at why they do it.

Tis the season for a field trip

Friday 8 April 2016

All the signs are pointing towards spring - the best season for outdoor learning is around the corner

Using Why Farming Matters in the primary curriculum

Friday 1 April 2016

Video case study to demonstrate how the Why Farming Matters Primary Education Pack can be used across the school curriculum.

It's lambing time!

Thursday 24 March 2016

It’s that time of the year when new born lambs are springing up in fields across the country. Thanks to the National Farmers’ Union, we can find out what sheep farmers have to do all year round to care for their sheep.

There's no such thing as bad weather!

Thursday 24 March 2016

Grow to School have been working with St Thomas Primary School to integrate outdoor learning across the curriculum. Now, the head says, staff and pupils expect to learn outside.

Natural Connections - Sneak Preview

Friday 11 March 2016

The evidence is clear – getting children outdoors is fantastic for their health, wellbeing and learning and can set them on a pathway to happy, healthy and environmentally sustainable lifestyles.

Maths + Farm = Learning

Friday 11 March 2016

Find out how Deer Park Farm rose to the challenge of planning a whole day of maths activities for Key Stage 3 pupils.

International School Meals Day 2016

Tuesday 1 March 2016

Thursday 3 March is a big day across the world, as it marks the fourth annual International School Meals Day.

Three ways to teach sustainability

Thursday 18 February 2016

Sustainability is a challenging but exciting topic to cover in the classroom. Here are three ways to teach sustainability this year.

28 days to send us your Passports

Tuesday 26 January 2016

Help your class to collect their final Countryside Classroom Passport points by including Passport challenges in core subject lessons.

Mission Breakfast

Monday 25 January 2016

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to eat a healthy breakfast every day this week. Here's how.

Darwin for a Day

Wednesday 9 December 2015

Teaching adaptation and evolution in KS2 Science? Rather than just learning about Darwin, give young visitors the chance to experience a little slice of life through his eyes.

Reconnecting children with nature

Wednesday 25 November 2015

Encounters with farms, nature reserves and the countryside help to reconnect children to nature and the land. Rob Macklin explains why that matters to The National Trust.

Natural memories

Monday 9 November 2015

Examine how a visit to the Yorkshire Arboretum generates many more meaningful experiences and memories than planned.

Create your own Countryside Classroom

Friday 30 October 2015

A DIY guide to bringing Countryside Classroom to life with hands on activities from local experts.

Bad Education

Friday 25 September 2015

What does comedy tell us about learning outside the classroom?

Farm visit Q&A

Friday 25 September 2015

Farmer Jo Nelstrop answers our questions on what to expect from your farm visit.

Welcome to Countryside Classroom

Friday 25 September 2015

Lord Curry first brought together the partners behind Countryside Classroom in 2012 and looks back at progress so far.

Dear Mr Gibb

Monday 21 September 2015

16 year old Georgia Locock believes all young people should learn about the natural environment in school. She makes her case to the Minister for Schools, Nick Gibb.

Colourful autumn

Friday 11 September 2015

Top tips for introducing children to woodland with an autumn walk.

Polli:Nation schools programme

Tuesday 25 August 2015

The Polli:Nation project, developed by Learning through Landscapes, will support schools in helping to protect the future of our seriously dwindling bee population.

Please be positive - six ways to discover British food with kids

Wednesday 19 August 2015

British food has come of age in the last ten years - it is cause for celebration not commiseration, and what better time to do so than during British Food Fortnight?

Spotting nature in your school grounds

Thursday 30 July 2015

School grounds are a perfect place to observe nature, and also a perfect place to help it along a little.

Why, why, why, why, why?

Wednesday 24 June 2015

Teachers and policymakers are constantly bombarded with messages from every corner of society about what children should learn and experience. Dan Corlett gives four good reasons why food, farming and the natural environment should matter to schools.

Seven steps to recipe success

Monday 22 June 2015

Creating a recipe of their own is a great way to get children involved in cooking, but where to start? Award winning chef Idris Caldora takes us through the process of creating a recipe from scratch.

Catching character outdoors

Monday 22 June 2015

Find out how experiences of learning outside the classroom are particularly well suited to developing character traits such as curiosity and resilience in your students.

Chef on the Farm

Monday 22 June 2015

Two Countryside Classroom partners, Farming & Countryside Education and the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts Chefs Adopt a School Trust bring 'farm to fork' alive in the Chef on the Farm project.

Make memorable experiences

Monday 22 June 2015

What do you remember from your time in school? Just a few days here and there? Make more of your pupils' school days memorable by taking a trip outdoors.

Five ways to follow up a lambing visit

Thursday 18 June 2015

Five handy suggestions to capitalise on the lingering excitement of your visit with these follow-up activities for the classroom.

Knead to Know - inspire tomorrow’s bakers

Thursday 18 June 2015

Has the Great British Bake Off given you, and your pupils, fresh motivation and new ideas for food technology activities? Find out more about the story of grain-based food from farm to mill to plate to get to grips with all things bread!

“It’s about more than the curriculum and it’s certainly more than just another school trip.”

Thursday 18 June 2015

Offer children more than testing and targets by introducing them to experiences that inform and inspire them about the natural environment and where their food comes from.

Year-round inspiration from the calendar

Thursday 18 June 2015

The calendar is full of special days and weeks which can be a focus for a wide variety of curriculum related activities. Use Countryside Classroom to help find resources to bring the seasons to life.

Four steps to Food Enlightenment

Wednesday 17 June 2015

Four measures that, given a free hand, Bill Graham would introduce to reignite children's relationship with where their food comes from to improve the lives of future generations.