At Gillingham school on a Wednesday around 12 students get on the school minibus to Rylands farm where the students join groups and sit down to have a warm drink and toast if they want it before they sit down to do their written work.
Rylands Farm is a farm which young people who may be struggling at home or school can go to, and it can offer help and advice to kids who might need it, most of the kids that go there like to be around animals because they find it calms them.
Rylands Farm is in Holnest on the outskirts of Sherborne.
Some students do the City and Guilds qualification and the others do work sheets. After we have done this work we put on our PPE and start doing the animal jobs which covers such animals as cows, donkeys, ducks, sheep and geese. Work varies from feeding and cleaning out the animals to helping the vet when he comes to visit. There is a lot to do at the farm and the staff members are always so friendly.
“I enjoy going to the farm because we get to spend the morning outside.”
– Student in year 9.-Cameron
“I enjoy spending time and interacting with other people and the animals “
– Student year 11- Melissa
“I enjoy going to the farm because all the adults there are understanding and you can always talk to them, it’s also really relaxing being around all the animals.”
– Student in Year 11-Lisa
