Year 3 pupils from Christ Church Chorleywood enjoyed an exciting, hands-on exploration of Rocks and Soil during a special visit to Woodoaks Farm in Maple Cross last month.
The session was designed to complement the school’s science curriculum while highlighting the vital role soil plays in the farm’s nature-led approach. The trip was made possible thanks to recent funding awarded to the farm from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Led by Eco Ted and supported by the dedicated Woodoaks Volunteer Team, pupils were immersed in two hours of discovery. They learned how chickens swallow stones to digest food, how flint once formed from ancient sea sponges, and how everyday objects – like glasses and rings – are linked to the stones beneath our feet. Children explored erosion through hands-on sandstone investigations and examined fossils, soil samples and the historic 1760 Woodoaks Farm map to uncover clues from the past.
A visit from Dolly the horse helped bring the concept of fossil evidence to life, and pupils continued their investigations in the new community orchard, where they collected and compared soil samples to understand how soil composition can vary even within a single landscape. A final stop at Compost Club introduced them to nutrient-rich compost teeming with worms and natural decomposers.
The success of the visit was also made possible by the remarkable volunteers who supported each activity, ensuring every child was engaged, encouraged and inspired.
Year 3 teacher Emma Allaway said: “The Woodoaks team were brilliant to work with. They created a morning of engaging, hands-on learning that completely covered our objectives. The children loved visiting the farm.”
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