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. (This supports Step 6- Specialist facilities.)
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. (This supports Step 4- Experienced staff.)
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. (This supports the 6 Steps to Change Manifesto- Employers engaged in education.)
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.