Oathall Farm and Farm Shop 2015
Over the past year, the Headteacher, Governors, farm and school staff along with representatives from the farming community have been meeting to discuss the farm operation at Oathall. Following the meeting of the governors on 13 July 2015 a new plan for the farm operation has been agreed.
The Oathall Farm exists as an educational facility for students at Oathall and other schools in the wider community. It is with this in mind that the operation has been examined closely to ensure that it has a sustainable future and can serve its purpose in the College.
The farm provides a resource for delivering; vocational courses for students aged 14 to 16, a vocational experience for younger students, a farm tour for primary school pupils and a very well attended Young Farmers Club. Moreover, it provides enriching experiences for studies in a wide range of curriculum areas. To meet these requirements in the most effective and efficient manner stock levels will be rationalised to more manageable levels so that the vast majority of the animals can be kept on the Oathall site. Students will continue to visit other agricultural establishments to learn about farming practices that are not sufficiently demonstrated on the Oathall Farm.
The lowered stock levels will inevitably result in less meat being produced. The Oathall Farm will still sell its produce but with less volume there will no longer be a need to open the shop on a regular weekly basis. The shop will still be used to provide an educational experience of meat preparation and commerce for students and to retail meat when the need arises. Further details will be published in due course.
The governors and Headteacher would like to gratefully acknowledge the invaluable contributions made by all staff, students and stakeholders in the development of the retail aspects of the farm. We are very grateful for the support that our local farming community has given us over the past year in working with us to find a realistic and viable plan for the future of the farm at Oathall.
The Oathall Governors
July 2015
