TV chef Antony Worrall Thompson opens Holme Grange School's new school farm

The rainy weather could not dampen Holme Grange spirits as TV chef Antony Worrall Thompson visited to open the school farm in its new location. 

The children showed him all that they were doing: from tending the animals; growing their own produce in poly tunnels; keeping bees and learning estate management.

Antony Worrall Thompson was so impressed with all the school has achieved. He also presented them with two major awards that they had won. The Royal Horticultural Society awarded the school a Five Star Gardening School Award and the Schools Farm Network awarded Holme Grange Best Use of the School Farm in the Curriculum Award.

Outdoor Education Leader and Farm Manager, Miss Tory Carberry was delighted to show Mr Worrall Thompson the school Middle White pigs which are part of a conservation project, this is a breed he knows a lot about. Mr Worrall Thompson is Patron of The Middle White Pig Breeders Club and his enthusiasm for the pigs led him to breed his own Middle White pigs. After the pigs, goats, hens and geese the Head showed Mr Worrall Thompson the poly tunnels and recycled bottle greenhouse.

Mr Worrall Thompson talked to the children about all they were doing and the importance, as a chef, of knowing where the ingredients come from. He was particularly interested in the school bees and honey production. He was excited to see all the projects expand over the coming months and was particularly excited about the school produce shop opening soon.

Headteacher, Mrs Robinson commented: “It was lovely that Mr Worrall Thompson visited today, as Patron of The Middle White Pig Breeders Club, he is such a great supporter of what we are trying to do as a school. Children engage so much more with the curriculum when we explore the topics in the outdoors and relate them to practical, everyday jobs.”