Farm visits

Planning a farm visit

Advice for teachers from the Health and Safety Executive
Tips for teachers

Before your visit:

discuss visit arrangements with the farm management;
assure yourself that the facilities provided match the recommendations in the main AIS23 information sheet;
decide what the ratio of pupils to teachers/assistants/parents should be. As a general rule, there should be one supervisor to every eight children under eight years old. If supervision levels are less than this, consider whether you should not allow direct contact with the animals for children under eight;
discuss with pupils the rules for the visit, stressing that they must not eat or chew outside the areas in which you permit them to do so;
make sure that pupils wear appropriate clothing, including sturdy outdoor shoes (not sandals) or wellington boots if possible;
check that cuts, grazes etc. on children's hands are covered with a waterproof dressing.

During and after the visit, make sure that the children:

do not kiss the animals;
always wash their hands thoroughly before eating, after any contact with animals and again before leaving the farm;
eat only in designated areas;
do not eat food which has fallen to the ground;
do not suck fingers or put hands, pens, pencils or crayons etc. in mouths;
do not taste animal foods, i.e. eat only food that they have brought with them, or food for human consumption they have bought on the farm;
clean or change their footwear before leaving, remembering to wash their hands after any contact with animals faeces on their footwear. Check that the children stay in their allocated groups during the visit, and that they;
do not use or pick up tools (e.g. spades and forks) unless permitted to do so by farm staff;
do not climb on to walls or animal pens etc;
listen carefully and follow the instructions and information given by the farm staff;
approach and handle animals quietly and gently;
do not chase, frighten or torment the animals.

Remember:

the children are your responsibility during the visit;
you should supervise them during the visit, in particular during hand washing to make sure that each child washes thoroughly. Farm staff may be able to help you with this supervision;
allow plenty of time before eating or leaving so that the children do not have to rush.
If a member of your group shows signs of illness (e.g. sickness or diarrhoea) after a visit, advise them or their parent/guardian to visit the doctor and explain that they have had recent contact with animals.

Tips for Teachers:

How can you prepare for a farm or horticulture unit visit?

The following information is intended as a check list for teachers planning their first class visit to a farm.

Initial contact with the farm, check opening times and the costs for a school visit

Request any relevant printed material about the farm as this will help you decide whether this farm unit is suitable for your visit.

Ask for a statement on the farm liability insurance - your LEA most probably already insists upon this.

Visit the farm yourself first!

Check exactly what the farm has to offer you as teaching/learning resources and what arrangement can be made for special activities which are relevant to any lessons you have planned? (e.g. some practical mathematics which can be covered by measuring, approximating, drawing or counting activities, etc.)

Reassure yourself that the farm meets the safety, pleasure and comfort needs of you and your pupils.

Obtain answers to all the other questions you may have e.g.

Are guided visits available?
Are wet weather facilities available?
How long does a tour of the farm take?
What hand washing and toilet facilities are there?
What breaks will there be?
When is lunch time and how long will it be?
Where can lunch be eaten?
Is there anywhere bags and packed lunches can be stored?
Is there a free activity area available?
Is there a teashop or gift shop?
Is there hard standing for a coach and facilities for the coach driver?

The list is not intended to be exhaustive - all teachers will have their own questions and the Farmer/grower will be more than willing to answer these questions.

Before the visit takes place.

With your curriculum and lesson planning completed, and all the introductory work undertaken with the children in class, there are still things that you will need to consider:

Booking transport - some farms will arrange this for you: but do remember to meet any LEA safety requirements (most insist on seat belts in coaches)
Mode of transport - are your children accustomed to this form of travel - indeed are they used to traveling at all? Consider what travel sickness precautions need to be taken (anti-sickness pills, eating a breakfast before the journey, taking sickness bags with you etc).
Activities for the journey - some teachers find it helpful if they have prepared some interesting activities which the children can undertake during long journeys (I spy, etc).
Packed lunches - you may wish to take packed lunches with you from the schools meals service. This eliminates the problem of providing for those who normally have free school meals as well as providing food which meet the religious and dietary needs of the children.
Wet-weather clothing - make sure the children have appropriate wet-weather gear - often the LEA outdoor pursuits centre will loan these at very low cost.
Footwear - if children do not possess wellington boots and you know they will be walking through mud, recommended they bring along a pair of really old shoes to wear on the farm.
Recruit and inform the adults who will be accompanying you on the visit so that they know exactly what is expected of them.
Resources - acquire and pack all the necessary resources you may need - tape recorder, camera, clipboards, writing implements, etc and of course make sure you have a fully equipped first aid kit.

If you would like more information from the Health and Safety Executive www.farmsforschools.org.uk