THERE were animal antics when a playground was transformed into a farmyard.
The special, farm-tastic day took place at Gosbecks Primary School, in Colchester.
After a year like no other, with many children stuck indoors for weeks on end and school trips cancelled, teachers were determined to offer a fun, enriching experience and reward pupils for their resilience during lockdown.
Pupils arrived at school to the sounds of lambs bleating, chickens clucking and ducks quacking.
Counting sheep - Kai Thompson and Leah Cheeseworth enjoy the farm day at Gosbecks Primary School
Throughout the two days, every child was able to spend time outdoors meeting and handling the animals under careful supervision – including Shetland ponies, rabbits, guinea pigs and even a playful ferret.
The goats enjoyed a scratch of the back and the children enjoyed feeling the soft wool of the sheep.
Gemma Culling, from Gemma’s Farm, who brought her friendly animals to the school, was on hand to answer questions and many of the children were amazed to find out that ducks have teeth like bristles, goats lose heat through their horns and chicken bones are hollow.
The animals weren’t just restricted to the playing field – each class also had a surprise visit from a set of newly-hatched chicks, with children shown how to handle and care for them.
Reaching out - excited pupils Connor Catney, Dakota Johnson and Henry Hogbin
Head of School Polly Bradford said: “The farm reflects our commitment to placing children’s well-being, communication skills and social relationships at the heart of everything we do.
“The mobile farm has complemented the opportunities already in place at our school, including our forest school woodland area, external sports coaching, after-school sports clubs, diddi dance in reception, the daily mile and ‘living eggs’ for our key stage one pupils.
“The buzz around the school was brilliant to see.”
Big smiles - Piraveena Sutharsan, Callum Moore, Dakota Johnson, Leonardo Bradshaw, Jake Lawlor, Naomi Allen and Mimi Peers
The sheep of things to come - Connor Catney, Leonardo Bradshaw, Jake Lawlor, Henry Hogbin, Riley Axford-White, Evie Gould and Naomi Allen
Goat it in one - Evie Gould and Riley Axford-White
Horses for courses - Dylon Vincent, Sophie Maughan, Ella-Mae Evans, Bethan Walkington, Brody Dearsley, Archuthan Sathiyanathan, Ethan Seager and Kian Wicks
Enjoying their day - Ronny Aves, Henry Bidgood, Mikey Costigan and Lilly Williams
Cute and cuddly - Isabelle Allen, Franky Costello, Abigail Bryan and Bentley Gurden meet some of the smallest visitors to Gosbecks Primary School
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