Awards

Woodchurch High School has previously been awarded ‘The Rural Dimension of Specialism’ by the Government, in recognition of our outstanding provision in Agriculture and Environmental Issuesthroughout school.

The school farm is a resource that is used by all curriculum areas. It is also a recreational area, which pupils can access during breakand lunchtimes.

The school farm also has pygmy goats, alpacas, pigs, poultry and a range of small animals. Pupils studying Animal Care are responsible for the daily care of the farm animals and each year they help at lambing time, providing unique, hands-on experience.

The Wirral Globe – News Article (22nd March 2021)

Efforts by Wirral school farm to share its environmental education programme with the wider community have been given a major funding boost.

Woodchurch High School Farm has received more than £21,000 from Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Community Environment Fund.

The aim of the fund is to reshape our economy and society in a way that is greener, fairer and more inclusive.

The £500,000 fund has been distributed to groups for projects which will improve the environment across Liverpool City Region after the Metro Mayor pledged to support community projects.

The farm will use the funding to launch two community environmental projects.

The first, Young Farmers Experience is aimed at opening up the farm to schools across Wirral.

The visits will focus on environmental and land-based education. Activities will include an Eco Safari along with Eco workshops including Farm to Fork and Grow 4 Life.

The visits will be followed with a cross school Eco poster competition based on their learning at the school farm.

The second, Good Life Happy Earth project is aimed at the local community, offering multi-generational eco workshops, which will be taught on the school farm.

The aim of the workshops is to promote awareness of how to reduce our carbon footprint.

The main focus will be on how to ‘Grow your Own’ from a large raised bed to a windowsill allotment. Everyday items will be reused to make a community ‘pick and mix’.

This will be an area of fruit and vegetable containers at the entrance to the school farm.

The local community who pass the farm every day, can pick peas, salad greens, strawberries and more for their dinner or as a snack on their way home.

This project will culminate in a resource sharing workshop for community leaders and teachers to replicate and deliver the same programme in their areas and schools.

Farm manager Linda Hackett said: “Woodchurch High School has a long championed the environmental message. As well as having Green Flag eco school status the school farm has worked in partnership with the Rare Breeds Survival Trust for over ten years through its conservation project breeding rare breed North Ronaldsay Sheep. In 2019 we were named ‘school farm of the year’ by School Farm Network, out of 126 school farms nationally. The farm is a wonderful resource both for education and for promoting positive mental health and well being. We are excited that this funding will allow us to open the school farm to the wider community and through our Eco workshops we aim to help the Liverpool City Region Community Fund make the future greener.”

Available dates for school visits and group workshops will be announced as soon as lockdown restrictions are lifted.