23 May 2007, 12:58 PM
  • A Tees Valley community farm has been awarded top marks for 'Countryside Classroom' as part of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs' Countryside Educational Visits Accreditation Scheme (CEVAS).

The Clarences Community Farm, in Port Clarence, near Billingham, has won accreditation under the national scheme to increase children’s access to farmland and to provide safe, educational places for teaching about agriculture and the countryside.

David Featherstone, farm coordinator for Stockton Borough Council, says, “Every year, we welcome 1000s of visits from across the Tees Valley, many of which are school groups. We have 16 year’s experience of providing a fun and educational time for youngsters.”

CEVAS, which was developed by Farming and Countryside Education and DEFRA, is a voluntary scheme, designed to help farmers have a better understanding of how to provide safe facilities, information that fits with curricular studies and to give them the confidence to deal with school visits.

Earlier this month, two other farms, Barleylands Farm, near Billericay, and Grayingham Grange Farm, in Grayingham near Gainsborough, had also gained top marks. Chris Philpot, from Barleylands Farm, says, “Visiting a farm can give children a real insight into where their food comes from and can be a great educational tool to teach about healthy eating.

“Becoming accredited under CEVAS is very important to us because it means that our high standards for visits and the quality of the farm experience that we offer have been recognised. Many schools visit us year after year, but those that haven’t been here before will now know that they are guaranteed a safe and worthwhile visit.”