Pre-visit Requirements

Step 1 – Important information – please read first

Farm visits can be booked on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays following the Lancashire school holiday pattern. Due to the weather we will not be carrying out visits from mid November to the end of February. 

It is a requirement that you meet the correct staff to pupil ratio.  Please also note that farm visits are not advised for pregnant members of staff. 

Step 2 – Choose your date and book

If you would like to reserve a visit on a certain date, please head over to our booking enquiry form and send your details.

We will require a £50 non-refundable deposit for all school bookings – this can be invoiced once the booking is made (we are registered as a Lancashire supplier). The booking is not confirmed until the deposit is paid.  The balance will be invoiced after the visit for the number of pupils made in the initial booking.

Step 3 – Planning and recommended pre-visit appointment

Prior to your visit we will discuss your learning outcomes for the day and activities that will support these.  

We advise that the lead teacher has a pre-visit (provided free of charge) where we can discuss the finer detail.  

There are lots of suggestions for areas of learning and how these link to National Curriculum objectives on our website, so please feel free to use any of these. If there is something that you wish to cover that isn’t included, please do ask.

Please let us know of any special requirements/needs that you or individual pupils may have.  

Step 4 – Complete your risk assessment and follow school procedures

All of the important documents can be downloaded directly from our website, this includes a risk assessment, insurance certificate, health and safety policy, child protection and safeguarding policy/certificates, first aid certificate, DBS clearance, emergency action plan and the conduct on the farm policy. You may not need all of this information but please feel free to download and use what you need.  As a minimum, please read the Risk Assessment (this will also make your life easier) and the conduct on the farm policy.

There is further guidance available through the following link, which includes the Industry Codes of Practice Code of Practice | Access To Farms (visitmyfarm.org). Don’t worry, you don’t need to read it all as this is what we will follow when you visit us.  The link is there for further information if you need it.

Don’t forget to book your transport.  Coaches (not Double Deckers!) can easily access the farm but need to enter Grape Lane from Croston. Remember to inform pupils and staff of the clothing and footwear (explained in the Conduct on the Farm Policy) required and remind all visitors to bring a packed lunch. If your visit involves an activity in the woods, we advise long sleeves and trousers.

Step 5 – your visit

Come and enjoy your day.

Elaine will lead the learning for the day, but you know your children best so please get fully involved and support to ensure that everyone gets the best from the day.

If you have a large group, we may split into smaller groups for some activities. Don’t worry Elaine will provide everything you need for a short activity if it is necessary for school staff to lead a session.  This is important as it helps to keep costs to schools down. 

Step 6 – follow up in school to continue the learning

As part of your visit, you will receive plans for the day and suggestions of follow up activities that you could do at school.  Please make use of these to get the most out of your day. Let us know if there is anything specific that we can help with.