We are delighted to support educational placements for children as young as 6 who struggle to learn in mainstream settings.
Our £5,000 award to Hayrack Development CIC will fund 200 bespoke educational sessions for children who are currently out of mainstream school or seeking alternative provision that better meets their needs. Many of these children face challenges such as mental health difficulties, learning differences or neurodiversity that mainstream environments are not always equipped to support.
Hayrack offers bespoke flexible, hands‑on learning experiences within their farm park, giving children the chance to engage in activities such as grooming alpacas, weighing out goat feed and learning how to care for chickens. They may also record animal data and complete workbooks at home to reinforce their learning.
Each child is supported by trained mentors who work closely with parents to set personalised goals. Children progress at their own pace, building confidence through achievable steps. This nurturing environment helps them develop practical skills, improve their wellbeing and experience a genuine sense of accomplishment. It is hoped that, over time, these positive experiences will help children feel more confident and ready to re‑engage with learning in school.
To read more about the work Hayrack Development does and find out more about their petting zoo, please visit: Hayrack Church Farm, Farm Park near Chester, Cheshire, Ellesmere Port, North Wales
