Paget High School Community Orchard and Farm
In 2008 the Governing Body and Leadership Team of Paget High School began discussions on making the best use of a large area of scrub land alongside the
school playing field. Arising out of the discussions it was decided to apply to “Big Lottery – Local Food” for a grant to develop a Community Orchard on 3½ acres of the site.
A total of 673 children and 15 adults planted over 400 fruit trees on the site. It is home to Apple, Pear, Cherry, Plum, Medlar, Asian Pear, Apricot, Damson and Quince trees.
The Orchard has gone from strength to strength and by the end of 2015 we expect to have received in excess of 5000 visitors since the start of the project.
In 2014 the Orchard took the school’s Farm under its wing and was rebranded as the Paget High School Community Orchard and Farm. The Farm is home to sheep, ducks, chickens, bantams, turkeys, pygmy goats, ferrets and guinea pigs. During visits and events the Farm Supervisor also brings along a lovely variety of birds of prey. The students have the opportunity of interacting with the animals during many lessons and ‘Farm Club’ which teaches students the maintenance and care of the animals and land. Students can study the eggs straight from the chicken, including incubation, the development of the eggs, and the rearing of chicks. The entire farm project is self-sustaining and there is much to be learnt around recycling, including the use of old tyres, huge bean tubs, and even CDs.
In 2008 the Governing Body and Leadership Team of Paget High School began discussions on making the best use of a large area of scrub land alongside the
school playing field. Arising out of the discussions it was decided to apply to “Big Lottery – Local Food” for a grant to develop a Community Orchard on 3½ acres of the site.
A total of 673 children and 15 adults planted over 400 fruit trees on the site. It is home to Apple, Pear, Cherry, Plum, Medlar, Asian Pear, Apricot, Damson and Quince trees.
The Orchard has gone from strength to strength and by the end of 2015 we expect to have received in excess of 5000 visitors since the start of the project.
In 2014 the Orchard took the school’s Farm under its wing and was rebranded as the Paget High School Community Orchard and Farm. The Farm is home to sheep, ducks, chickens, bantams, turkeys, pygmy goats, ferrets and guinea pigs. During visits and events the Farm Supervisor also brings along a lovely variety of birds of prey. The students have the opportunity of interacting with the animals during many lessons and ‘Farm Club’ which teaches students the maintenance and care of the animals and land. Students can study the eggs straight from the chicken, including incubation, the development of the eggs, and the rearing of chicks. The entire farm project is self-sustaining and there is much to be learnt around recycling, including the use of old tyres, huge bean tubs, and even CDs.