It’s been an incredible autumn, full of connection, shared learning, and a deep celebration of diversity through our Weaving Farms, Land, People & Planet (WFLPP) project.
Following their farm visits, students from several schools hosted sharing sessions, a vital way to consolidate learning and empower the pupils to become teachers themselves.
At Holton Primary School, pupils shared their new knowledge from Hall Farm and Wakelyns with other classes and parents. The year 5’s and 6’s were empowered to lead on carousel activities, including teaching willow crafts, wildflower seed identification, and an apple diversity tasting. The students felt confident in their new role, with one saying, “I like being given responsibility, it makes me feel confident“. Another shared their newfound teaching skill: “I’ve shown at least 10 people how to do this – it feels really good”.
A parent reflected on the creative and confidence boost the project gave their child:
“This has been brilliant – when our daughter came home from Wakelyns last week, she was beaming and telling us all about it. She loves nature and creativity and that doesn’t always get seen in school. Your sessions have let her shine!”.
Our session with Bramfield House School, saw them share their learning from their farm visits to Broad Oak and Brick Kiln with the Senior Leadership Team (SLT). They led discussions on milling wheat and showcased their stop-frame animations, using items from the farms, such as snake skins and antlers.
Their enthusiasm and engagement were noted by the Senior Leadership:
“The difference in the boys is just amazing. Working with nature brings out the best in them. They become more confident and not afraid to take part and risk failure… The project has shown how working in nature is essential for well-being and how it can help students with SEMH achieve”.
Their lead teacher observed the impact of the environment and Natural Habitat team:
“These boys do not do new people, and again today they were speaking to you as if they have known you forever – there are staff here that those boys still do not talk to, it just shows that being out in the environment really helps them thrive”.
One pupil summarised their experience with a wonderful list of words: “Amazing, lots of animals, excellent, brilliant, very green, outstanding, farmy, fascinating, phenomenal”
At Kelsale Primary School, year 5 pupils shared their learning from Earlsway and Broad Oak Farms with younger pupils, parents, and teachers. They led activities like making hedgerow creature puppets, discussing animal welfare (like animal feed, tail docking, and nose rings), and debating the issues with relying on the ‘Top Three Grains’. The value of this sharing for the older pupils was clear, with one teacher commenting: “It’s so wonderful that they get to do this – the yr 5’s are so confident with their sharing,”. The deep learning and retention of facts were incredible to see, with one pupil keen to share their knowledge:
“Do you want me to tell you some facts? Sheeps wool is waterproof, it has special stuff called lanolin!”.
Another parent highlighted the positive impact on their child’s confidence:
“It’s been great for him – he really thrives with immersive stuff like this, as he really struggles in the classroom environment a lot of the time”.
A major highlight was the Schools Landscape Table Event at The Beeches Community Primary School in Ipswich. This phenomenal day brought together pupils, staff, clients from Suffolk Refugee Support (SRS), and a brilliant team of farmers and growers. The event saw our chef, Lola DeMille and SRS clients lead a powerful bread workshop, celebrating how bread unites cultures and supports diverse diets. The children loved every moment, learning about bread-making traditions and exploring different grains. The pupils were fully engaged, with one sharing their experience: “I loved making the bread”. Another highlighted the cultural connection: “I made Kulcha bread with my mosque teacher!”. The SRS cooks expressed their joy in participating, with one saying: “This has been great, I am so happy because I am a teacher back in my home country, and today I am able to use that. Thank you so much,”.
The activities led by the farmers were equally engaging, helping children learn about concepts like biodiversity and different crop types in a practical way. The positive impact was noted by a teacher, who shared how much the pupils valued working with such a mix of people:
“It’s so nice that the pupils are all going home with things to share with their adults – this demographic rarely get opportunities like this, and for them to work with such a mix of people, some of which link to their own heritage, is priceless. Giving them something to do with their parents at home, just makes the whole thing so much more meaningful,”.
The day also created an immediate legacy, with SRS clients invited to return as volunteers for the school’s academy, demonstrating the potential for a long-term partnership. The day was summed up by the Partnership and Engagement Manager as “by far one of the best activities we have been fortunate to be part of at our school”.
As well as getting out and about at local schools, we have also been pulling together our final plans for Connecting Constable & Gainsborough Country, Landscape Recovery Project. We have been working hard with Suffolk Wildlife Trust on the stakeholder engagement plan for the project, which will be heading off to DEFRA in the new year to go through the assurance phase. More details on the strategy will be released in 2026. You can keep up to date on the project here.
After what has been a very busy 2025, we will be taking a short break over the Christmas season, to rest up and rejuvenate, ready for more activity in the new year!
