A new AHDB-funded education website called ‘Countryside Classroom’ has been launched today to help teachers give all school-age children positive, formative experiences of food, farming and the natural environment.
The online resource is full of age-appropriate, curriculum-friendly lesson plans, resources and ideas to bring children into the countryside and the countryside into the classroom. By selecting ages, curriculum areas, preferred types of activity and other options, teachers can find educational content tailor-made for their classes.
The website also features a searchable map of the UK to help teachers find local farms, parks and activity centres which are ready to give children enjoyable and memorable experiences of food, farming and the natural environment.
AHDB Education Chair, Diane Symes said: “We cannot overstate the importance of education when it comes to food and farming. AHDB is passionate about ensuring that the next generation of consumers learn more about where their food comes from and how it is produced by our levy payers. The launch of this initiative is a great example of the industry working together to provide teachers with access to a wide range of quality educational resources via Countryside Classroom.”
The project is co-funded by the Prince’s Countryside Fund and run by Farming and Countryside Education (FACE). Dan Corlett, CEO of FACE said: “We have a big vision for Countryside Classroom – we want it to become the trusted place that teachers and schools go to access all they need relating to food, farming and the natural environment.
“We want to play our part in educating children and supporting schools to share interactive, up to date and quality resources. Today is just the start - we want to hear from partners, charities or local experts who want to join Countryside Classroom too.”
Countryside Classroom website: www.countrysideclassroom.org.uk
More information:
Funding
Countryside Classroom is led by Farming and Countryside Education (FACE) and funded by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) and the Prince’s Countryside Fund.
Partners
Countryside Classroom partners are: Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), Bright Crop, Council for Learning Outside the Classroom (CLOtC), Country Trust, Farming and Countryside Education (FACE), Federation of City Farms and Community Gardens (FCFCG), Garden Organic, Learning through Landscapes, National Farmers' Union (NFU), Soil Association, Outdoor Learning Experiences, Royal Highland Education Trust (RHET), Food Teachers’ Centre, Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), Royal Academy of Culinary Arts – Chefs Adopt a School, Linking Environment and Farming (LEAF), National Farm Attractions Network (NFAN), School Food Matters, British Nutrition Foundation.