Reluctant Learners

Educational programmes for reluctant attenders/learners

Cronkshaw Fold Farm has successfully piloted, ‘INSIDE OUT’, a farm-based learning programme for reluctant learners and reluctant attenders. The programme is run in blocks of 4 sessions for groups of up to six students supported by an appropriate number of learning mentors/carers/teachers. The sessions are run by a senior member of farm staff with teaching and farming experience.

Morning sessions start with toast and talk. This takes place in the farmhouse kitchen where we discuss and plan the morning’s work and address any student difficulties.

The work carried out by the students revolves around the following topics:

• farm or small animal care
• introduction to basic building materials and skills
• green wood-working
• dry-stone walling
• wildlife and conservation
• hedgerow management
• gardening and garden structure building and maintenance
• cooking (cooking and gardening can be linked to the ‘grow, pick cook and eat’ theme)

At the end of each session a drink is made for the group and we complete a learning/achievement grid together. We tailor the grid so that each student has plenty of ticks with headings such as: working together, taking instructions, asking when not sure of a task.

On the last of the 4 sessions the group prepare and cook a meal and are encouraged to invite a guest, perhaps the head of the students’ school or an appropriate youth worker.

Computers are available on site offering a VPN between the farm and school so students can log on to complete work started at the farm or make some kind of IT record of their achievements. There is also internet access for research purposes.

Costs: The programme is offered, at present, in blocks of 4 sessions with 6 students per session. The costs are avaialble on application. Email sjm@cronkshaw.co.uk
No vat is payable. Payment is due on booking.

House Rules:

No smoking on site.
Any student displaying inappropriate behaviour will be asked to leave immediately and forfeit their place to another student in future sessions.
If no learning mentor is accompanying the students an emergency number must be left with the farm office.

Partner Organisations

COOL UK provides an informal yet inclusive education/work based learning programme for disaffected and underachieving Key Stage 4 pupils.
153 St. James Street
Burnley
Lancashire
BB11 1PD

http://coolcentre.co.uk/
Tel: 01282 685100
Mob: 07717 153277
Fax: 01282 839639