The barnyard is a resource for our young people throughout their time here. It is run by the Science department and Kristy Jackson who is a learning mentor in school. 

The animals in the barnyard include chickens, rabbits, aviary birds and goats, but this can change as animals are donated to us throughout the year.

The barnyard is self-sufficient in that funds to run it are raised by the learners via supermarket bag packs or selling homemade food in school or by donations from the local community. Our young people help to feed and care for the animals keeping them in clean hygienic conditions which involves, cleaning out their living accommodation, repairing hutches and suchlike.

Learners are timetabled in the barnyard at Key Stage 3 on a voluntary basis and on rotation. They are not allowed to miss core subjects and must have permission from the Head of Department of the subject they are missing.

In Year 7 the barnyard is a useful resource to help our more vulnerable students integrate into the school. It’s also useful to motivate learners who are disaffected; to encourage good behaviour and to work as part of a team and to allow them to take some responsibility for their own learning.

At Key Stage 4 learners are only allowed in the barnyard before or after school so they have the required time to focus on their examination subjects.