Term 1 at Aspire Farm School – Aspire Farm School

The new academic year

New Beginnings, Familiar Faces, and Fresh Adventures

As the leaves start to turn and Term 1 is in full swing, we’re thrilled to reflect on what has already been a fantastic start to the academic year here at Aspire Farm School.

One of the most exciting developments over the Summer break has been the opening of our brand-new Farm School campus – Jijie’s Rest Alpaca Farm, which officially welcomed students this week. Set on a beautiful alpaca farm just outside of Polegate, this site offers a truly unique learning environment. Students have already jumped straight into hands-on experiences, getting up close and personal with alpacas and their crias. They’ve been hand feeding them, observing their behaviour, and learning all about their different wool types and care routines.

Over at our existing campuses, students have returned with great energy and a positive attitude, settling in quickly and embracing the changes that took place over the summer.

At our Hale Farm campus, students have returned full of enthusiasm and ready to dive straight back into farm life. A big highlight has been seeing the brand-new outdoor kitchen now standing proudly on site and almost ready for use. We can’t wait to share updates as students begin learning more about food journeys, from seed to plate, and cooking with fresh produce grown right here on the farm.

Of course, it wouldn’t be Hale Farm without our animals and after the summer break, it’s been a joy to see them all again. Some have grown so much over the holidays, especially Gerald, the gosling we hatched earlier this year, who has been a real talking point among students! As always, hands-on experiences have been at the heart of learning, with students immersing themselves in animal care while also putting their creativity to work learning seasonal crafts.

At our Mac’s Farm campus, the newly renovated small animal area has been a big hit. Students have loved spending time with our guinea pigs and rabbits in their upgraded enclosures, and they’re now playing an active role in adding the finishing touches from designing the layout of our new grooming stations to coming up with exciting enrichment ideas for the smallest members of our animal family. It’s been brilliant to see their creativity and care in action.

We’ve also welcomed some familiar faces over at the Mac’s Farm campus. Our Valais Blacknose sheep have moved in this week and although they are not new to Farm School life, this is their first time settling into this particular campus, and they’ve already made themselves well and truly at home! Known for their gentle and friendly nature, the boys have been enjoying plenty of attention as students support their transition, spending time grooming them, heading off on foraging walks and making sure they have everything they need in their new home.

Another fantastic feature now in regular use is our outdoor kitchen area, built last term by students on our Build-Up programme. It’s already proving to be a hub of activity and learning including some delicious moments! The standout so far has to be the freshly cooked banana and cinnamon pancakes, made and shared outdoors, bringing together teamwork, food tech, and plenty of smiles.

AQA Units are well underway across all campuses, with students engaging in meaningful, skills-based learning that builds confidence and achievement. This term, the craft element of our curriculum has taken on a creative and competitive twist: students are working on pieces that will be entered into competitions at local ploughing matches over the coming weeks. Entries already include innovative tote bags made from recycled animal feed sacks, combining sustainability, design, and hands-on skills in true Aspire style.

It’s been an inspiring start to the year, and we’re so proud of the way our students have embraced new opportunities, new animals, and new environments. It is never easy getting back into a routine after time away but all of our students, staff and animals have settled in brilliantly – well done everyone.

We can’t wait to see what the rest of the term brings.

Contact Us

If you’d like to learn more about Aspire Farm School or get in touch, please contact us at:

Email: director@aspirefarmschool.co.uk

Phone: 07742 966765