Outdoor learning

Helping young people  who need it the most.

Frampton Farm is dedicated to providing a supportive and inclusive environment for individuals with learning disabilities, autism, and additional educational needs. Our mission is to offer a therapeutic, hands-on learning experience in a safe and natural setting, helping young people build new skills and boost their confidence. We especially focus on supporting those facing significant challenges, creating a space where they can thrive and achieve personal growth.

 What is Care Farming?

Care farming, also known as social farming or green care, uses farming and nature-based activities for therapeutic purposes. It offers structured programmes that aim to benefit individuals' health, social care, or educational outcomes.

Young people attend care farms for various reasons, such as for specialist education, health and social care, or overall wellbeing. Each care farming session is bespoke and person-centred, tailored to meet the specific needs and abilities of the individual.

One of the unique aspects of care farming is that it allows participants to contribute meaningfully to the day-to-day operations of the farm. This includes hands-on tasks like animal care, horticulture, and equine care, providing valuable learning experiences while helping individuals build confidence and skills in a supportive environment.

3 routes  to choose from

1) Therapeutic Animal Care - offers a calming, one-hour session on the farm, where you can get up close to the animals in a relaxed and peaceful environment. During this time, you may have the opportunity to: Brush cows or goats, offering a soothing experience for both you and the animals. - Walk goats or alpacas around the farm, building a bond with them as you enjoy the outdoors. - Sit with the animals, simply spending time with them and observing their natural behaviours. - Watch the animals interact and play, enjoying their company in a stress-free setting. - Pet and engage with the animals in a way that promotes relaxation and connection. This therapeutic approach is ideal for those seeking a gentle, low-pressure interaction with animals, helping to improve emotional wellbeing.

2) Semi-Therapeutic / Educational Nature-Based - sessions last for two hours, providing a more active and educational experience on the farm. During this time, you'll: - Assist the farmer with preparing food and feeding some of the animals, helping to ensure their care and wellbeing. - Work with a different group or individual animal each week, allowing you to learn more about the specific needs and characteristics of various animals. - Spend time brushing, walking, and playing with the animals, developing a deeper connection and understanding of their behaviour. - Engage in small horticultural tasks, such as sowing seeds, planting, watering, or even harvesting crops, giving you hands-on experience with the farm’s garden and produce. This session offers a balanced mix of animal care and nature-based education, helping to develop practical skills and learn about farming and gardening, all while benefiting from the therapeutic effects of nature.

 3) Farming - Educational-Based- sessions are designed for those looking to get hands-on with the day-to-day running of the farm. These sessions typically last for 2 or more hours and involve a variety of tasks that are integral to farm life. During this time, you'll: - Assist with feeding the animals and mucking out, ensuring they are well cared for. - Help with poo picking and maintaining clean, healthy environments for the animals. - Take part in erecting fences, moving animals between different areas, and assisting with general animal husbandry. - Get involved in planting trees, sowing seeds, and caring for crops as part of the farm’s horticultural activities. - Experience harvesting produce and preparing it for sale or consumption, learning about sustainable farming practices and how to manage a farm effectively. This educational-based session is ideal for anyone wanting to learn about the full scope of farming activities, from animal care to agriculture, and is perfect for developing practical skills in a real-world setting.

All of our programmes are carefully tailored to each young person’s unique learning style and needs. Whether they are working towards specific educational, social, or emotional goals, we adapt our sessions to ensure that every individual can thrive in a supportive and engaging environment. Our aim is to create a positive, hands-on experience that helps each participant achieve their personal outcomes, whether through animal care, horticulture, or other farm-based activities. Each session is flexible and adjusted as needed, ensuring that everyone is able to progress at their own pace and in a way that suits them best.

Studies have consistently shown that spending time with animals and being immersed in nature can have profound therapeutic effects, particularly for children and teenagers with additional needs. The physical activity, emotional connection, and sensory experiences involved in animal care and outdoor activities can help reduce anxiety, improve mood, and enhance social skills. It also promotes self-esteem and confidence as individuals engage in tasks that provide a sense of achievement and purpose. Nature, with its calming and restorative qualities, serves as a natural environment for healing and personal growth.

Student  Referrals

Referrals for care farming services can come from a variety of sources. We work closely with local schools, including both mainstream and SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) schools, as well as other organisations that support young people with additional needs. Additionally, we are members of networks such as Social Farms & Gardens and Leaf Education, which connect us with organisations and families who may benefit from our therapeutic farming programmes. These partnerships allow us to provide tailored support and ensure that those who need it most can access the benefits of care farming.

Before a young person begins their sessions at the farm, we make sure to meet with their teacher or parents to discuss their specific needs and goals. This ensures that we can tailor the experience to best support their development. In cases where a child has an Education, Health, and Care Plan (EHCP), we may request that a teacher or teaching assistant (T/A) accompany the student to provide additional support. For schools sending multiple students, we ensure that the correct ratio of staff is provided to meet the individual needs of all students, ensuring a safe and productive environment for everyone.

Some of the referrals come from:

Our  Farm Animals

At Frampton Farm, we have a wonderful variety of animals, with over 100 residents, many of whom are pets and rescue animals. While most of our sheep are kept as pets, we also have a small number of commercial ewes used for breeding. Their lambs are often sold to smallholders as either breeding stock or pets.

Our diverse collection includes various breeds of sheep, pigs, Boer goats, pygmy goats, rescue hens, and a variety of chickens. We also have alpacas, cows, and a number of horses and ponies on the farm.

Most of our animals are accustomed to human interaction and enjoy being hand-fed and fussed over, making it a great experience for visitors of all ages to get up close and personal with the animals!

Horticulture   Area

At Frampton Farm, we also have a dedicated horticulture area, where we grow a variety of produce. This includes a fruit and salad polytunnel, an educational polytunnel where students can learn to sow and grow their own plants, as well as a greenhouse, herb garden, vegetable patches, and a fruit patch. It's a perfect environment for hands-on learning and nurturing nature.

In addition to our growing areas, the farm is surrounded by hedgerows and British native trees. We're passionate about sustainability and have already begun planting more trees, including a small apple orchard. Our plans for 2025 include creating two new garden spaces: a sensory garden and a wildlife garden, both of which will enhance the natural beauty and biodiversity of the farm.

Wildlife.

Frampton Farm is truly a sanctuary for wildlife, with a variety of animals such as foxes, rabbits, badgers, and birds calling the land home. Over the years, many trees have naturally fallen, but the family is committed to reforesting the area. They are actively working to plant thousands of native UK trees to help encourage more wildlife and contribute positively to the environment.

Students at the farm play an important role in these efforts, actively participating in the rewilding of the land. They plant flowers and trees, create bird feeders, and place nesting materials out for the birds, all of which help create a vibrant and thriving ecosystem. This hands-on approach not only supports the environment but also provides valuable learning opportunities for the young people involved.

Programmes /    Lessons

At Frampton Farm, we understand that each young person is unique, and that's why our programmes are flexible and tailored to meet individual needs. While we have a loose structure for our sessions, we focus on adapting the experience to suit the learning style of each participant. This ensures that we are meeting their personal goals and outcomes.

Before a young person’s first day at the farm, we meet with teachers or parents to discuss their specific needs and goals. This helps us to design a programme that is both meaningful and beneficial for them. Throughout their time with us, we remain committed to adapting the sessions as needed to provide the best possible support.

AQA Unit Award Scheme (UAS)

At Frampton Farm, we offer students the opportunity to work towards gaining AQA Unit Award Scheme (UAS) certificates in animal care and horticulture. This provides a formal recognition of their hard work and achievements, while also helping them build new skills in a hands-on, practical environment. 

Additionally, we can collaborate with schools to tailor the educational experience to align with their own curriculum, ensuring that the learning is relevant and meaningful. This approach allows students to gain both academic and personal development, while rewarding their efforts with accredited certificates.