Princethorpe's Smallholding Starts Taking Shape

The project which has been completely funded through donations from the wider Princethorpe community, has been in the planning for several years.

Located in the field adjacent to the Sixth Form Centre, this week the smallholding area has been fenced off, prior to the ground being prepared ready for the growing season. Around the 25mx30m boundary, wooden post and rail fencing has been installed along with wire rabbit netting and access gates running directly off the Sixth Form Lawn. Raised beds will shortly be installed, as will water and there are plans for a composting area, polytunnel, seating and tool storage.

The new smallholding will serve as a further outdoor classroom, offering plenty of opportunities for study and practical learning in the natural environment. It will foster deeper connections to nature and the countryside, such an important part of the Princethorpe experience, and cultivate valuable life skills in all our pupils.

A dedicated 'Smallholding Working Group' is already working hard to integrate the project into the current curriculum and co-curricular activities, mapping the links into subjects such as Geography, Science, Food Technology and Business Studies. 

The Smallholding Project is a staged project that will grow over time, as the site is established and embedded into curriculum use. This innovative initiative will provide an unparalleled learning experience, not traditionally available in schools, for pupils across the Foundation.

Headmaster, Grove du Toit, comments, “Our new smallholding will provide unique learning experiences that complement our academic curriculum. Through lessons and clubs, pupils will have the opportunity to engage and immerse themselves in the countryside and nature, learning invaluable skills and fostering a deeper appreciation for the environment.”

Director of Development, Steve Kowal, added, “This project is a wonderful example of what can be achieved through the quiet generosity of our community. Thanks to donor support, we have been able to create something genuinely distinctive, an educational resource that will benefit pupils for many years to come and grow in impact over time.”