New Hall Farm
Farming History
New Hall has a long history of farming and grazing animals on its large estate, including deer, pigs, cows and horses.
Over the years, the sight of animals within the school slowly disappeared until the Preparatory School became the home to a few chickens and rabbits. Students and staff were eager to see more animals grazing on the school fields once again and so the farm started to develop further in 2018.
The Benefits
Many studies have been conducted, showing the benefits that being around animals, interacting with nature, and learning outdoors, has on a child’s development and wellbeing. There are many potential benefits to physical health, such as reducing stress and fatigue, whilst also helping build a healthy immune system. For many people pets and animals could greatly improve their mental wellbeing. Our animals here have already proven that they can provide retreat for children overcoming personal and mental health issues.
Confidence, relationships and resilience are also positively impacted by an animal presence, whilst some teachers have also seen improved concentration and quality of work.
Our Animal Family
The New Hall farm has expanded greatly and continues to do so: we now have over 2 acres dedicated to housing our animals, which currently includes 31 animals: 12 different breeds or species including some rarer breeds. Many of the animals here have come from rescues, but with lots of TLC from students and staff they are now thriving in an exceptional environment.
Links to the Curriculum
Throughout the Preparatory and Senior Divisions curriculum lessons can be linked to the farm, allowing for great outdoor learning opportunities. We also have access to many exotic animals that have made an appearance in classroom sessions. Art, Photography and even Maths and English lessons can make use of the farm facilities.
Some examples of topics include
- Habitats
- Animal diets and feeding habits
- Classification
- Comparative anatomy and digestion
- Ecology
- Egg development and hatching
Co-Curricular Activities
Animal Care Club – This after school club is offered to pupils in the Preparatory School one day a week. A mixture of practical and theoretical learning takes place, with topics covering animals we house on the farm, animals from around the world and other pets.
Animal Prefects – Year 6s have the opportunity to become an Animal Prefect: this role sees them helping to care for the animals during their lunchtimes, performing activities such as: cleaning, feeding, grooming and enriching their environment.
Animal Welfare Volunteers – Students in the senior divisions can sign up to volunteer on the farm during lunchtimes and after school. Other than basic animal care, Senior students play a key role in training our animals, helping to build enclosures, and future plans to start livestock showing.
