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THE YEAR OF FOOD AND FARMING SCHOOL CHALLENGE

The Specialist Schools and Academies Trust wholeheartedly supports the Year of Food and Farming and all of its aims. The Year is being vigorously promoted in their regional workshops programme and rural update publications throughout 2007 and 2008, but their main contribution is the School Challenge. Through this award scheme the Trust aims to encourage all schools to play their part in further enhancing the experience of their pupils and successfully delivering the aims and outcomes of the year.

Who can take part in the School Challenge?

  • The scheme is open to all schools in England.
  • The challenge will be run in two separate sections – primary and secondary. The entry section for all-age special schools and for middle schools will be determined by the age of the pupils directly involved.

What should schools do in order to take part in the challenge?

Schools are asked to organise a project, or projects, leading to the realisation of one or more of the aims of the Year of Food and Farming.

  • Improved understanding of the food chain and the role played by farming.
  • Increased links between schools, farmers and food producers.
  • Development of healthier lifestyles and good nutrition.
  • An increased interest in careers in the food & farming industries.
  • A greater appreciation of the importance of the countryside and environmental issues.

Key dates

Schools must register their projects by 31 December 2007.
Schools will be asked to submit a resume summarising the progress made, and detailing future plans, by 30 April 2008.

Judging of projects and awarding of prizes:

  • All schools whose entries meet the challenge criteria will receive a Year of Food and Farming Challenge certificate.
  • Winners will be chosen from the best entries in each region.
  • Regional winners will receive a plaque at a formal presentation during a regional event, such as an agricultural show, probably during June or July 2008.
  • National finalists (all regional winners) will be asked to present their projects to the national judging panel at a major event at the end of the year. Here an overall winner in each of the 2 sections will be announced and final prizes of £1000 to invest in the project’s long term sustainability presented.

Further details of the Challenge can be found at the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust website.