The Rural and Environmental Science department at Thomas
Alleynes High School is an example of successful practical
teaching, using experienced staff to teach students in specialist
facilities.
The Rural and Environmental Science department at Thomas
Alleynes High School occupies the site of a Victorian walled garden
adjoining the main school. Teaching resources within the department
include glasshouses and polytunnels, organic and inorganic
vegetable plots, a lake with conservation area and the community
farm with pigs, sheep, a suckler cow and calves and a variety of
poultry.
In Yr 10 students can opt to study for a GCSE in Environmental
Land Based Science within which they are offered the opportunity to
gain a City and Guilds NPTC qualification in Horticulture and
Agriculture. The school is currently preparing to offer the diploma
in Environmental Land Based Science beginning in September
2011.
Edward Barker, the farm manager, was a dairy farmer for thirty
five years. He works closely with all the students on the course
teaching animal husbandry skills as well developing their
scientific knowledge of relevant techniques such as selective
breeding and AI.
The department have very strong links with the local community,
both farming and retail. It supported a local organic beef farm in
a successful bid to redevelop the dairy into a classroom as part of
their application for higher level stewardship. The farm is visited
regularly for talks on environmental and agricultural topics as
well as using its facilities to develop a range of practical skills
such as hedge laying. The school has a very good relationship with
local retailers and gets discount for animal feed and materials and
is supported by Uttoxeter town council.
The department also provides recommendations to local farmers
who wish to take on young workers as well as requesting placements
for students who are looking to undertake day release courses at
college.
Students have worked closely with both Staffordshire and
Derbyshire Wildlife trusts, carrying out conservation work to
enhance the biodiversity of the local area. They have also carried
out environmental monitoring at local quarries and water
courses.