Lamb loan scheme teaches pupils about food

Children are being given the chance to look after lambs for a week to learn about farming.

An initiative by the South of England Agricultural Society sees a ewe and her lambs loaned to schools to educate children about how food and animal products like wool are produced.

The society says the Loan a Lamb scheme also gives pupils in Surrey and Sussex a hands-on experience of caring for animals.

Alan Smith, trustee of the society, said there was "increasing concern" that children were growing up "without a true understanding of how food is produced".

He said Loan a Lamb was the society's way of "bridging the gap", by bringing farming into primary classrooms at an age when children were "a sponge for information".

Children at St Mary's Church of England Primary School in East Grinstead had a visit from a ewe and her lambs.

Year six teacher Kerry Saunders said there was "an absolute buzz" around the school having the animals there.

She said the sheep had inspired maths lessons calculating the size of pens to keep them in and computer lessons on researching rare breeds.

"It's such an amazing experience for the children and the teachers to get up close and personal with these farm animals and experience their spring life," she added.

Mr Smith said: "Many young people have little to no connection with farming and often don't realise the hard work and dedication that goes into producing the food on their plates."

He said the scheme also helped children learn about animal welfare and gave an "understanding the importance of sustainable food production".

The scheme is in its fourth year, reaching more 3,500 pupils across 10 primary schools.

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