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School effectiveness

Food and farming


Farmwise Devon

Farming plays a huge role in Devon’s environment and local economy. Primary school children have the opportunity visit Farmwise, a large-scale annual event held Westpoint each year for schools to learn about farming and the environment.

Visit www.farmwisedevon.org

Chefs in schools  

Chefs in Schools support schools with practical advice and training to improve their food and food culture. Chefs in Schools have partnered with Riverford to provide funded support for South West schools.  

To find out more visit:  https://chefsinschools.org.uk/project/vegucation-with-riverford/ 

RHS campaign for school gardening 

The RHS provide a wide range of resources including a new eLearning course for beginner school gardeners. These free courses will help you to understand the key benefits of gardening in your school and give you the skills to get growing. https://schoolgardening.rhs.org.uk/home 

Garden Organic 

From growing pots of herbs and food for the school canteen to opening a farmers’ market in your playground, gardening offers exciting new ways for children of all ages to learn and grow.  

Visit:  https://www.gardenorganic.org.uk/expert-advice/growing-in-your-space/schools 

Food for Life

With an overarching goal to make good food accessible for all, Food for Life work directly with caterers, schools, and communities to implement sustainable and lasting change within the broken food system.

Visit: https://www.foodforlife.org.uk/

Connects-food

A free resource to help busy primary schools develop their whole school approach to food policy.  Visit: https://www.connects-food.com/

LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming)

Working to engage, inspire and motivate young people and wider society to be conscious consumers who feel empowered to make decisions that ensures we have a world that is growing, eating, and living sustainably.

Visit: https://leaf.eco/education/leaf-education/

Social Farms and Gardens (SF&G)

SF&G is a UK wide charity supporting communities and schools to farm, garden and grow together. SF&G set up the School Farms Network (SFN) in 2004. The network provides mutual specialist support for existing practitioners and anyone interested in starting a new animal, horticulture or agriculture- based project in any educational setting.

Visit: https://www.farmgarden.org.uk/projects/school-farms-network

Composting in schools 

Turning twigs, leaves and bits of vegetables and fruit into gorgeous rich compost which helps plants grow is one of the natural world’s magic tricks! Composting can also be a fantastic learning resource which can support many curriculum areas. It can get kids out of the classroom, learning practical, useful science. Whether your topic is minibeasts, habitats, growing, micro-organisms or global warming, your compost bin can provide hands-on learning opportunities for pupils of all ages. 

Visit: Compost – Zone 

World Wildlife Fund for Nature – Food growing resources for schools 

WWF have developed some fantastic curriculum linked resources for pupils aged 5 – 11 years, including growing guides and fun activities for the classroom. 

Visit: https://www.wwf.org.uk/get-involved/schools/resources/food-resources 

School Food 4Change 

SchoolFood4Change aims to make school meals enjoyable and healthy for both our children and our planet 

Visit: https://schoolfood4change.eu/blog/project/whole-school-food-approach/ 

Countryside Classroom 

Connecting schools with food, farming and the natural environment  

To find places to visit, experts, classroom activities and other resources visit: https://www.countrysideclassroom.org.uk