A key focus of the proposals for Land North of Chipperfield Road is a “Farmstead” located on land adjacent to Kings Langley Secondary School. This will create a supportive environment for children through the provision of onsite learning and therapeutic services. Our vision includes dedicated growing spaces alongside health and wellbeing programs featuring therapy gardens and animal-assisted activities. We are actively engaging with Kings Langley Secondary School and Sunnyside Rural Trust to integrate this provision.
Background
Sunnyside Rural Trust (SRT) is working with Kings Langley Secondary School (KLS) to create a Farmstead project, which will benefit both students and vulnerable people. The school approached SRT to help them provide alternative learning provisions and wellbeing options through the creation of a Farmstead situated on land adjacent to the school.
KLS wants to give its pupils the best chance of happy and productive school years. Their aim is that by using early interventions and alternative provisions, such as the ‘Farmstead’, students will have the best life chances possible. Using these approaches, potential needs can be addressed in a way that reduces impact on the student, preventing crisis stage from being reached. This in turn reduces stress on the education and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) system nationally and, more importantly, results in a healthy school population that is able to learn, thrive and unlock its potential.
The Benefits
The Farmstead will provide alternative outdoor curriculum options within a therapeutic environment, where pupils can interact with animals, engage in nature-based activities, and participate in farming-related tasks. This hands-on, green experience can have a positive therapeutic impact on students’ physical, emotional, and mental health. This overall sense of improved wellbeing will most likely, according to recent research, increase overall attendance at KLS. If attendees begin to associate a sense of purpose and enjoyment with their school life, they will be more likely to attend and thrive. The project also offers a sustainable alternative curriculum option for those learners who would benefit from this approach and might otherwise move towards exclusion and NEET (Not in Employment, Education or Training) status without it.
The objectives of the Farmstead fully align with the government’s Children & Nature Programme and Green Care – an evidence-based approach that uses nature and the outdoors as a means to enhance physical, mental, and emotional well-being. The Farmstead will also foster improved community relations by offering paid work, training, and skill development for vulnerable people. This initiative will create at least two full-time equivalent jobs and challenge public perceptions of people with learning disabilities.
Sunnyside Rural Trust
Sunnyside Rural Trust is a registered charity that supports young people and adults with learning disabilities by offering training and employment opportunities within a social enterprise setting. The Trust offers a wide range of employment opportunities including growing and selling fresh produce e.g. fruit, vegetables and salads; poultry keeping; PAT testing; gardening design and maintenance; allotment makeovers; warden services; and growing and selling a wide range of plants including Dacorum Borough Council bedding plant contract. The Trust sells their produce and services through their two farm shops, local networks, regular markets stalls and local events. To find out more about Sunnyside Rural Trust, visit https://www.sunnysideruraltrust.org.uk/
Keely Siddiqui Charlick, CEO of Sunnyside said, “The Trust is very excited about opening and managing a new growing hub at the new neighbourhood north of Chipperfield Road and bringing a wide range of benefits to students of Kings Langley Secondary School and the local community.”
Further updates
As the project develops, we will keep a record of progress and activities and publish updates on this webpage.
The Land North of Chipperfield Road website is designed and maintained by JTP on behalf of Silversaw Ltd and Hill Group For more information, contact the JTP Community Planning team at community@jtp.co.uk on Freephone 0800 0126 730 or write to us at Freepost JTP (no stamp required).
