12 of our students spent the week, beginning 27^th February 2023, at Jamie’s Farm in Lewes. Jamie’s Farm offers students the opportunity to experience a life swap, learning about and working on a farm, trying new things and discovering hidden talents.

The students enjoyed a huge range of activities. Each day started with feeding rounds where all the animals, including 200 pregnant ewes, would be fed and cleaned. This was followed by fully supervised activities that included cooking, gardening, wood chopping, mending fencing, building a pizza oven and working with the animals. We came together at a number of times over each day to share meals, to recognise the achievements of others, to go on a daily walk and to play games. The students were wonderful, accepting challenges with confidence, showed resilience when they found something hard and were very brave when faced with something that frightened them. Going into a pen filled with 200 hungry ewes when you are carrying their food is scary

Everyone had an amazing time. The students developed stronger friendships. We laughed together, encouraged each other, especially up the steep hill on our Wednesday hike, and supported those who needed help and none of us wanted to leave when it was time to return home at the end of the week.

We have memories that will last a lifetime, stronger relationships with each other and a shared appreciation for baby goats!