Stepping Stones is a specialist educational activity programme intended for groups of students with additional needs, who lack confidence or self-esteem, or who are struggling in the classroom.

We run activity programmes tailored to the ability of the students where they can learn about animal care, grow produce, carry out maintenance tasks, and display their knowledge to members of the public who visit the farm.

Sessions can run for up to 3 hours in the morning and afternoon, and we will provide a specialist tutor to work with the students and help everyone to engage and achieve their goals. We measure their achievements using student diaries to record their experiences, what they do, who they work with, and what they enjoy. Some of the benefits are:-

Learning new skills in Animal care, Gardening, and Maintenance. This helps students realise they can achieve.

Growth in confidence from completing simple physical tasks. Caring for animals helps students understand that they can have a positive impact on their environment.

Social skills are developed by working in small groups where it is easier for pupils to speak up and join in.

Re-engagement and focus through a change of environment helps students who are struggling to engage and gives them opportunities to start afresh.

Enjoyment and achievement as the different environment is a nice place to be, away from school pressures, and physical work creates a great sense of satisfaction.

Attendance improvements can happen where students have an incentive to do something outside of their regular routine.