Alternative Curriculum Placements

We offer Alternative Curriculum placements, which we call our Work to Learn programme, in animal care, conservation, cooking, gardening, bushcraft and healthy cooking for primary and secondary aged children which are accredited by ASDAN

These take place in small groups or on a 1:1 basis depending on need, with a strong emphasis on wellbeing and confidence building.

Work to Learn: Animal Care

This course provides young people with an opportunity to:

• help care for animals and their welfare
• learn carpentry, fencing, conservation and other sustainable maintenance skills
• experience healthy social interactions within the group and with members the public
• weigh up benefits vs risks when looking at health and safety around the farm

Our Animal Care group provides all those with an interest in animals and a willingness to work outdoors with a fantastic opportunity to do so! Mornings are generally spent taking care of all the needs of the animals on the farm. St Werburghs is a working farm and as such animals come and got some extent, but others stay to breed, be milked, lay eggs or generally keep others company. We strive to create a space where the highest standards of wellbeing are possible, so try to give as much care and attention to the animals as possible. The afternoons are often a little more bespoke and dependent on the needs and interests of the group. During these times there may be a chance to do some maintenance or creation of something to sell in our shop.

Schedule: Mondays in term time

Timing: 10 am – 2.30 pm 

Work to Learn: Youth Café

This course provides young people with an opportunity to: 

• develop their confidence around food preparation and cookery
• learn about food production and food cycles in relation to healthy eating
• make new friends and develop their social skills
• gain some insight into the skills required to run a business

The Youth Café stimulates young peoples’ interest in producing, preparing and eating healthy, fresh, whole foods for themselves, as well as for sale in a café open to the public. Inevitably we aim for this course to connect young people with the land as well as their community, whilst learning business and social skills.

Schedule: Tuesdays in term time

Timing: 10 am – 2.30 pm

Work to Learn: One to One Sessions

Sometimes we have the capacity to run 1:1 sessions with young people, which can be tailored to their specific needs and interests

W2L Induction and Pricing

We have a 2-step process of helping young people to adapt and feel able to choose whether the session and group is for them. These are the stages:

1. We invite the young person for an hour's visit to be accompanied by an adult, so they can meet SWCF staff and ideally the group they hope to attend in action, as well as see the site, meet the animals and get a feel for what the session will entail. This is free.
2. If all feels right for them and we have the relevant Registration and Referral Forms returned, then we welcome the young person for a trial day, which is charged at the usual rate.
3. Based on whether the fit felt right for the young person they are welcome to continue with the group for as long as is agreed is suitable for them. This agreement is made between SWCF and those responsible for the young person and can be anything up to a year, with the possibility of further time after that year.

For the Animal Care and Youth Café placements the full day is priced at £60 per student. For the 1:1 session a half day / 2 hour session is priced at £60 per student.

Bespoke programmes 

We can also create bespoke sessions for groups of young people from schools / organisations / education provider. These can be for a whole or half day per week over the course of a term or more. 

Throughout all courses, we help young people to develop healthy attitudes and behaviours towards their working environment. By caring for the farm's animals and getting involved in activities on the site, these placements offer the young people the chance to participate within their community, meet new friends and have fun together. As well as gaining new skills, we also help young people develop their self-esteem, confidence, and teamwork.