Growing Experiences and Creating Memories at The Countryside Kitchen

We are so proud and grateful for our growing relationship with The Countryside Kitchen.

This term, three of our sites;Wren Spinney, Isebrook and Daventry Hill School, enjoyed wonderful visits to The Countryside Kitchen, giving our learners the opportunity to explore the farm, get hands-on with new experiences and develop valuable skills in a welcoming, supportive environment.

We would like to say a huge thank you to Milly and Kelly at The Countryside Kitchen for their continued support and for providing such a fantastic opportunity for our learners. The partnership is a wonderful example of how working together with local organisations can create meaningful experiences that enrich learning beyond the classroom.

The visits offered learners the chance to experience different aspects of farm life, encouraging curiosity, exploration and active participation.

During their visit, learners met the animals, planted bulbs, tried their hand at worm charming and finished the session by making bread and butter ,which they were able to taste before heading home!

Despite the unpredictable weather, the group made the most of the day and completed all the planned activities. It was lovely to see learners getting involved, trying new things and experiencing the farm in such a practical and engaging way.

These opportunities are about so much more than a day out. They help learners develop communication and social skills, build confidence, explore their interests and connect their classroom learning to the world around them. For our learners with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), carefully supported experiences like these can be particularly valuable in developing independence and preparing for adulthood.

A Partnership That Goes Above and Beyond

What makes this partnership so special is the care and commitment shown throughout the entire experience.

From the initial pre-visit information and planning to the delivery of the activities and the support provided afterwards, the team at The Countryside Kitchen have helped make these visits positive and memorable for our learners and staff.

Reflecting on the experience, one member of our team shared:

“From the pre-visit information and visit, to the delivery and aftercare is flawless.”

This attention to detail helps everyone feel supported and enables our learners to get the most out of their time on the farm.

The enthusiasm has been mutual, with the team at The Countryside Kitchen sharing how much they enjoyed welcoming our learners:

“Kelly and I said we were both sore with smile ache because we felt it went so well.”

It is wonderful to see how these experiences bring enjoyment to everyone involved, creating connections and shared memories along the way. The feedback from our school community speaks for itself. Following one of the visits, a member of staff shared:

“The staff and students can't stop talking about the visit, everyone had an amazing time with you both and enjoyed every minute.”

Hearing how positively learners respond to these experiences is a real reminder of why opportunities like this matter. When learners are given the chance to explore new environments, take part in practical activities and learn alongside others, the impact can reach far beyond the day itself.

We know that meaningful learning happens in many different places, and partnerships with organisations such as The Countryside Kitchen help us open doors to experiences our learners might not otherwise have.

We are grateful to the team at Countryside Kitchen for opening their doors again next term to some more Creating Tomorrow Trust sites - Thank you