Twilight Session at Amerton Farm

Circulated to teacher in Staffordshire and surrounding areas:

We are writing to invite you as a teachers to a Twilight Session at Amerton Farm which will allow you to visit and view our educational facilities.  Have a tractor & trailer ride and take a look at our forest school, Be-Wild. Light refreshments will be provided on arrival.

If you would like to attend a Teacher’s Twilight Session email: farmbooking@amertonfarm.co.uk giving your name, school name, address, telephone number and state the name of local authority you you represent. For further details you can also go to www.amertonfarm.co.ukunder children’s group visits.

Date is arranged as:
(Please note dates are arranged from time to time, during, Autumn, Winter and Summer term, on request.)

Starting Time: Arrival from 4.30pm to 5pm the event will conclude at 6:00pm

Venue: Amerton Farm, Stowe by Chartley, Stafford, Staffordshire ST18 0LA on the A518 between Stafford and Uttoxeter, just 1 mile east of the village of Weston and 7 miles from Uttoxeter.

Some comments from schools and a former Ofsted inspector who has already visited us:

“We have been visiting Amerton Farm every other Thursday since September and I cannot explain what experiences the farm has given to my children. My class of 10-11year olds have moderate learning difficulties and/or autism and have been visiting the farm as part of their curriculum for the last few months. The children have been given opportunities on the farm that we could never have imagined for them and this is all down to the staff. The staff at the farm have been so incredibly patient and understanding and built relationships with the children that they will never forget. They have been so kind and also knowledgeable about the animals – my children have really learnt so much. For any teacher in the area, I couldn’t recommend this place enough if you want some outdoor education that your children will never forget. We will really miss coming to the farm and are hoping to visit again in the summer!!!”

Sherbrook Primary School Cannock

“Please could you pass on our thanks to everyone at Amerton. We had a lovely day visiting Santa and the play barn today and the gifts from Santa went down well. Have a good (and busy!) Christmas.”

Everyone from the Explorers class at Horton Lodge.

“We had a very educational visit to the farm, feeding animals, tractor and trailer ride and lots of other activities. We will be back again soon with many thanks to Amerton Farm staff.”

St Mary’s Catholic Primary School – Cannock

I just wanted to take the time to email and say  a huge Thank You for allowing

us to come and spend the day at Amerton Farm for our Christmas Trip.

We had such a wonderful experience, as you can imagine travelling and taking 40 children between 3 months and 4 years for a day out can be pretty hectic but with your great organisation it all ran extremely smoothly. It was lovely for the children to see Santa and his Reindeer & also have a ride on the Tractor and Trailer. The children were all so happy and overwhelmed by their experience they are all still talking about it today.  It was so lovely to take the children to a venue where we felt they were really secure and looked after, can I just mention how clean everywhere was too.  All your hard work and commitment has really paid off.  Can’t wait to come back next year!!!!!!

The Academy, Early Years Childcare – Rugeley

“It was the first time we have visited Amerton Farm and we will definitely be returning we had a great day”

Lyncroft Preparatory School – Chase Grammar School

Visit to Amerton Farm Forest School 28.5.18

“We visited Amerton Farm yesterday to try out the new ‘Bouncy Pillows’ and decided that as we had the whole afternoon we would visit the new Forest School set up – and how pleased we were that we did!

We are – Sam, just 12, Lucy recently 9 and Sue (grannie, not aged 12 or 9 but a former Infant teacher, headteacher and school inspector who loves a bit of outdoor play). We also met two other children of a very similar age, which made it great for making new friends.

We were introduced to Lisa, the Forest School’s leader, who welcomed us and made clear to us that we would be in a wild area, with nettles and a camp fire and would be expected to follow the safety rules (which immediately got a tick from me in terms of safety and safeguarding). When we arrived at the base the number one safety rule of walking around the fire pit on the outside of the logs was made very clear – another tick from me!

We were shown around the different areas of the base and Lisa explained the children could choose which things they would like to try. They then spent a few minutes moving around looking at what was available.

The two girls made a bee line for the Mud Kitchen and in fact stayed there for most of the session as they were so engrossed in making ‘hot chocolate’ from the mud for us all. This was a huge success and although I might have thought Lucy would be too old for this, she clearly loved it.”

The two boys meanwhile explored the site a little more and started to use some of the construction set but spent most of their time chatting and playing with the hammocks, with lots and lots of giggles from zipping themselves in like a cocoon.

After a while Lisa invited the kids to help prepare the equipment to toast some marshmallows. They particularly enjoyed using the ‘wood whittlers’ (vegetable peelers) and were shown how to hold the willow twigs and to shape the ends to act as a skewer for the marshmallows. They were then shown the safest way to kneel by the fire using the wooden plaques as a safe kneeling base (another safety tick) and why this is the best stance near a fire. They then thoroughly enjoyed toasting and eating the marshmallows, again with safety reminders about how hot these could be. This was followed by a drink and, as it was quiet, they were allowed a second go at toasting some more marshmallows.

This was followed by a bit longer exploring the site including the girls using the hammocks with a HUGE amount of giggling with both zipped girls in one – looking exactly like two smiley peas in a big green pod. Meanwhile the boys had a bit of fun in the mud kitchen – even though they had initially said they were too old!

The kids were amazed how quickly the hour went and that they didn’t really have time to have a go at all the things available – and I have been asked numerous times today – ‘when can we go back to Amerton’s Forest School PLEASE!!!!!!’.

Lisa has lots of ideas how to develop the activities and equipment to make even more things available. It’s clear in her friendly and supportive manner that she has years of experience working with kids and young people. She gives, support, encouragement and ideas when needed but is also happy to ‘stand back’ and let the kids have fun. I’m absolutely certain we will be back, and we look forward to seeing how the facility develops whilst retaining its ‘wild’ element.

#teamamerton are look forward to seeing you soon at Amerton Farm.

Kindest Regards,

Eunice Finney ARAgS
Managing Director

Amerton Farm Limited
Stowe by Chartley
Stafford
Staffordshire
ST18 0LA

Tel: 01889 270294 – option 1
Mob: 07973 134076
Fax: 01889 271242
Email: eunice@amertonfarm.co.uk
Website: www.amertonfarm.co.uk

Amerton Farm is also home to The Tea Room, Billy’s Farm Barn and Farm, Food Hall and further 20+ business who are tenants and all operate at Amerton Farm.