Want to hear about our latest meat sales?

2nd October 2018J Godbolt

We regularly send out emails with information about the latest sales of meat and other farm produce. If you would like to sign up to receive our emails with details of the latest meat sales then

Click here to be taken to the sign-up page

Too busy to sign up? Just call us at the farm and someone will be happy to let you know when the next sale of meat will be taking place. It gets very busy down on the farm so the best days to call us are Tuesdays and Fridays between 8 am and 4 pm. Our direct line is 01444 883211 or you can email us on [email protected]

Oathall’s outdoor learning hub

19th May 2021J Godbolt

After a year or more of stops and starts the Oathall forest school programme is now up and running and an established part of the curriculum at Oathall.

The programme based predominantly on the farm offers short courses to students in years 7 and 8. Students are encouraged to take part in outdoor learning activities with cooking over an open fire being a big hit. Students are responsible for fire lighting and using hand tools to build resources and cooking tools from wood. Equipment and resources for this new addition to the curriculum have been supported by a generous donation from Fairfax Properties ‘Building Young Futures programme’

Mr Blackholly, said

I am delighted with the way that student’s are progressing and we are hoping to develop the resource further making it into an outdoor learning hub for the school.

Oathall farm wins national farming award

18th May 2021J Godbolt

The hard work of students who help to run the college’s farm has been rewarded by being successful in their entry in the Social Farm & Gardens 40th Anniversary Awards.  At the virtual awards event, Oathall won the school farms award for ‘the best involvement in running a school farm’.

Head of Farm, John Blackholly, said:

Despite 2020 being a unique and challenging year we decided to enter the school farm awards competition. I am delighted that we won the award and I am particularly proud that the involvement of our students has been recognised in this way.

Getting creative in the great outdoors

15th January 2021J Godbolt

Students at Oathall have recently benefited from a generous donation from the Fairfax “Building Young Futures” education support programme. The programme has helped to fund a new outdoor learning hub on Oathall’s farm where students will be taught to develop skills using the Forest Schools ethos of learning. The new hub and resources will be used by students across all year groups helping them to develop confidence and self-esteem through hands-on activities and experiences gained in an outdoor setting.

An activity week is also being planned for summer 2021 where young people will be able to enjoy a week of fun and challenging activities, all provided by Fairfax.

Mr Blackholly, Head of Farm, said,

“I would like to thank the ‘Building Young Futures’ initiative for their generous support of Oathall students. We are especially grateful to Mr Peter Chisholm MBE for his help and support for this project. We are looking forward to inviting him and Fairfax representatives back to Oathall to see how their support has helped to transform young lives”.

 

Oathall at the South of England Show

12th June 2019J Godbolt
This year, over 60 farm club students attended and helped out at the South of England show at Ardingly.
 
The South of England society provided the college with a large marquee to display a selection of our chickens, lambs and pigs to the public. Visitors were then able to get up close to the animals and our students were on hand to answer questions. The event gave our students the opportunity to show their knowledge and skills to the public.
 
Students also took part in the main livestock parade. They walked in front of the cattle holding up the cattle breed boards. We also showed our three commercial pigs, and the judges awarded them third in their class.

Carols in the barn

12th December 2017J Godbolt

Our annual carols in the barn service will be held on Monday 18 December from 7.00pm until 8.00pm. Join us in the Oathall farm barn for carol singing surrounded as usual by some of our farm animals. Music will be provided by members of the Oathall orchestra and choir. Refreshments including mulled wine, hot drinks and mince pies will be available. Wrap up warm, we look forward to seeing you there.

 

Oathall success at South of England show

20th June 2017J Godbolt

From left to right: Jordan Hards, James Guy, Rhys Chester (in green), Aaron Head (all Oathall Year 10 students), Luke Timms, Cameron Terry, Angel Knott, Liam Rollings. (All Woodlands Meed Year 11) Back row: Mr John Blackholly and Ms Chris Candy from Woodlands Meed.

Oathall’s students were celebrating after being awarded first place for their garden design entry at the South of England show in June. First place was well deserved with our students competing against garden design students from Brinsbury and Plumpton Colleges. Well done to James Guy, Jordan Hards, Rhys Chester and Aaron Head who gave up much of their own time in support of the project and learnt much throughout the process.

It wasn’t just about garden design. As is our usual tradition Oathall students participated fully in the show helping out in the parade and showing our pigs and cattle. Harry Woodington was successful in showing our large white adult breeding sow. She came first in the large white class, a testament to all the early starts and hard work that Harry put in to prepare her for the show. Jacob Wall also did well, coming second in his cattle handling class.

Mr John Blackholly said,

“Well done to everyone associated with Oathall Farm It was a massive team effort from all concerned and we are justifiably proud of all our achievements. Thank you to all the students but in particular to all the staff, parents and former Oathall students who gave up their time to support our efforts.”

Farm Open Day – Sunday 30 April

4th April 2017J Godbolt

lamb-2

This year, the farm open day will be held on Sunday 30 April. We are holding the event a bit earlier this year to give our visitors a chance to see our spring lambs. Admission is free and visitors will have a chance to see all of our animals around the farm. We will be open from 11 am until 3 pm. Teas, cakes and a BBQ will also be available.

Little-Lucky

This is Lucky, one of our very first lambs. Lucky had a difficult start in life but thanks to some careful nursing and TLC from students, parents and staff she is now doing well.

Rotary Club supports farm improvements with £2000 donation

11th January 2017J Godbolt

On Monday 9 January, Oathall students along with Headteacher, Mr Edward Rodriguez and Chair of Governors, Mrs Rowena Chalk were delighted to be presented with a cheque for £2000 from the Rotary Club of Cuckfield and Lindfield.

Over 50 students who attend the Oathall Young Farmers’ Club turned up to receive the cheque from Rotary Club president, Mr Jaime Wallden and vice-president, Mrs Karen Looker.  Also present from the rotary club were Mr Chris Jupp, chairman of youth activities and past president, Mr John Davey. The Rotary Club are long-standing supporters of the school and the farm.

Speaking at the presentation, Mr John Davey said to the students,

The farm at Oathall is a very special resource and as students at this school you are given an exceptional opportunity to get involved with the farm and its activities. You will find that when you leave Oathall this gives you a unique experience which you can use in your future studies and careers.

Head of farm Mr John Blackholly, said

We are so grateful to the Rotary Club for this donation. The money will be used to improve the natural environment for our animals with better outdoor housing and fencing. Every year, we have visits from a wide range of community groups, this donation will also be used to improve the accessibility and environment for our visitors and so benefit the wider community.

Everyone’s a winner!

17th June 2016J Godbolt

It’s been a fortnight of competitions for staff and students at Oathall – with winners all round.

Over 50 students from Oathall took part in the 2016 South of England show. Our Students showed our  Ayrshire cattle with great professionalism taking a fourth and a fifth place. We also showed commercial pigs on behalf of Andrew Strong gaining two first places. And, as in previous years, students gave their support to the show by carrying the breed boards for the cattle parade in the main arena. (more…)

Farm Open Day success

25th May 2016J Godbolt

This year’s Farm Open day was a huge success! The weather was fine and we welcomed 100’s of visitors from the local community to the farm.

Our students were on hand to explain and answer questions about the farm and livestock care as well as being integral in the event organisation. Visitors got the opportunity to get up close to see farming practices in action.  Alan Kensett gave sheep shearing demonstrations. Students helped visitors hand-feed orphan lambs. And, of course, our youngest visitors were able to sit in our tractor driving seat, always one of our most popular activities.

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