Where can I recieve training?

Countryside Educational Visits Accreditation Scheme

The Countryside Agency is developing an accreditation system for educational visits to farms. Farms For Schools recognised that key to the success of farm visits is a confidence that these can be carried out safely and to a high standard. Research has shown that visits to farms can greatly benefit children’s educational and social development. It is within this context the accreditation scheme is being developed.
As part of developing the scheme, the Countryside Agency has appointed Farming and Countryside Education (FACE) to deliver a pilot training programme with people who have expressed an interest in working towards an accreditation to undertake educational activities on their farms.
It is hoped that the training programme will be of benefit to over 100 farmers taking part in this pilot project. A large element of the programme is about sharing best practice, so it should help everyone to improve the farm visits that are on offer, whatever the size of the operation.

The course consists of three units.

1. Preparing for Farm Visits.
• Find out about producing an advertising leaflet for schools including all the necessary information to include within it.
• Consider key items of information in relation to health and safety aspects of the farm visit
• Identify the learning opportunities on your farm
• Prepare an evaluation sheet for schools

2. Food, Farming & the Countryside in the National Curriculum
• Understand the structure of the National Curriculum
• Find out where food, farming and the countryside can fit into the National Curriculum
• Choose a QCA Scheme of Work to investigate
• Prepare a plan showing how a farm visit can contribute to positive learning

3. Talking to Pupils, Students and Teachers
• Prepare a talk for a primary school assembly
• Use appropriate visual aids and artefacts to deliver a prepared talk
• Prepare a talk and organise a farm visit for older children

The pilot scheme draws to a close at the end of March 2004 and will then be evaluated. The Open College Network will award certificates to all farmers who have completed the training and submitted the necessary evidence.

A Learning Network has been established by the Countryside Agency. The Accredinet Learning Network is a secure information resource to help farmers and land managers in the process of gaining accreditation for educational visits to farms. Learning Networks allow members to share knowledge and information about educational access.

The Learning Network provides the following facilities:
• a discussion forum where the training providers can offer help and advice
• news and announcements
• a library of documents, publications and research
• live chat facility which allows real time informal contact between members who happen to be online at the same time
• voting and polling
• key word or text search
• Sub Groups for when communication within a defined group of people is required
• members profiles to share skills and interests
Members of the Accredinet learning network are also encouraged to share good practice and expertise amongst themselves.

For further information about the training scheme, please contact Bill Graham on 024 7685 8261.