Packington Free Range pigs help local students gain qualifications

PRLog (Press Release) - Jul. 25, 2012 - Pigs may seem like unlikely candidates to be supporting the learning of disaffected students but that’s exactly what two pigs have done at the Bridge Short Stay School in Lichfield.

Packington Free Range (http://www.packingtonfreerange.co.uk/), the fourth generation family farm, donated the pigs to the school, and teacher Ed Smedmore explains, “The children who come to us haven’t responded well to a traditional classroom setting, so rather than trying to repeat this we decided to incorporate a more hands-on approach to learning and the development of the school farm is one aspect of this. Hopefully through this alternative approach we can reinvigorate their attitude to learning”

The students are able to work towards a BTEC qualification in subjects such as animal care through their work with the pigs which includes checking they have enough feed and water, changing bedding and maintaining the upkeep of the pens and generally considering the animals’ welfare.  Ed continues, “Being able to spend so much time outdoors is great, but a significant part of what we would like to do is teaching the children where their food comes from, the importance of animal welfare and the processes involved in food reaching their plate.  We hope that they come away from their time here not only with a qualification, but having learnt a wider lesson as well.”

Robert Mercer, co-owner of Packington Free Range who, along with the pigs donated feed, straw, a feed trough and drinkers explains, “Animal welfare (http://www.packingtonfreerange.co.uk/healthy-pigs-poultry...) is at the heart of everything we do and caring for the pigs is a fantastic way to encourage the next generation to question where their food has come from and how it was produced.  Looking after the animals also helps to instil a real sense of pride and responsibility and if the children can take this away from the experience, as well as gaining a qualification and avoiding exclusion at school, then the programme has been a complete success and one we are incredibly proud to support.”

Since taking on the Packington pigs (http://www.packingtonfreerange.co.uk/healthy-pigs-poultry...) in spring of this year, positive improvements in the children’s behaviour have already been noticed.  Ed explains, “Students want to be outside and involved in looking after the pigs. Spending time outdoors is an alternative approach to learning -the animals can have a really therapeutic effect and we’ve yet to see a child who doesn’t respond well to them.”

The school plans to welcome two more pigs in September. By embedding the work with the animals into the school curriculum and by building links with other schools that could benefit from this new and exciting initiative, the school hopes to build on the programme’s success. Ed says, “The programme has been a great success.  Disaffected students, disillusioned with learning are being reengaged and the animals have played a significant part in this.  It’s amazing to see how supportive people like Packington Free Range have been; the local community have been right behind us and it’s clear to see this positivity rubbing off on the students.”

About Packington Free Range:  Packington Free Range, based in Staffordshire, is a farm with a traditional family heritage spanning four generations. As well as a commitment to pork and poultry of the highest quality, Packington’s award-winning animal welfare ethos is supported and accredited by the RSPCA. Packington Free Range’s pork and poultry are Free Range in the truest sense of the word, with a firm belief that happy, healthy animals will produce the best meat.