Pupils from 11 Secondary schools across East Sussex and Brighton and Hove visited Plumpton College at the start of the new school year to kick-start regional celebrations for the Year of Food and Farming.
Year 8 and 9 pupils had the chance to investigate the training and employment opportunities that are on offer within the land-based sector by participating in a wide range of activities and demonstrations provided by the college and supporting businesses.
Activities included investigating tractors, riding the colleges’ mechanical horse, learning about milk production on the college farm, tree-climbing with the foresters and making button-holes with college florists. Pupils also took part in the inter-school art competition which enabled them to learn about materials in the natural environment through creating the ‘FACE’ of the countryside.
Vicky King, Connexions Personal Advisor at Peacehaven Community School said: ““The whole day was an excellent experience for the young people, from learning new skills, finding out about animals, having fun ideas about going to college and reading maps. Everyone felt they had got something out of the day”.
Julian Ashworth of Priory School, Lewes said: “The students loved the day and it opened up a whole new area of learning for them. Our students will now be able to make informed choices about 14-19 study paths”
Louisa Devismes, Schools Co-ordinator at Plumpton College said: “The day had given pupils a valuable insight into the opportunities within the rural sector through a series of enjoyable, hands-on learning experiences. We are sure that the day has inspired and motivated many of these young people to explore these opportunities further as their education progresses”.
The Year of Food and Farming is a concerted cross-industry campaign by leading farming organisations to help develop closer connections between schools and the food and farming industry.