Farmyard open Tuesdays to Sundays 10:00–16:30

About

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OUR STORY

For over 35 years, Hackney City Farm has been giving the local community the opportunity to experience farming right in the heart of the city.

We offer children and adults the chance to get up close to a range of farmyard animals; see, smell and plant vegetables and other food plants; and learn new skills.

As a city farm in London, we are dedicated to helping people learn about food, nature and the environment. Our unique setting inspires children and adults to participate in our courses, workshops and lessons and leave with new knowledge, friendships and inspiration.

We receive about 3 school visits a week – school groups, like everyone else can visit for free! We offer specific workshops designed to take learning a step further, such as Growing Food, Habitats – Mini-beasts and Chicken and Egg.

We are also home to a unique school for up to ten young people (age 13-17) who require a tailor-made approach to their education. Our curriculum is based around basic skills, practical and vocational learning, PHSE and one-to-one or group mentoring.

Other activities

As well as running our own courses and volunteering sessions, we are a home to various other social enterprises and community groups. We aim to be a centre for environmental improvement and a hub for projects for the improvement of the community and local environment.

Farm history

Hackney City Farm was established in 1984. It was an initiative brought to life by enthusiastic members of the local community who were inspired by the success of the newly formed Kentish Town City Farm. Their aim was to give youngsters and local people the opportunity to experience farming.
More about our history
Get up close to our farmyard animals
Learn about food, nature and the environment
Provide the opportunity to plant vegetables
Hackney City Farm back in the eighties

SEN Support

Through work experience, volunteering and alternative education provision, Hackney City Farm has a long history of supporting people of all ages with Special Educational Needs. Our SEN projects focus on building skills, experience and confidence, working with others and getting outdoors.

For referrals, we work closely with local colleges, health services and other community organisations. New opportunities will be posted here.
“The staff at Hackney City Farm have been incredible with the students and have managed to build up a relationship and rapport with them in just a month.”
Abbie, SEN Coordinator, West King College

School at Hackney City Farm

The School at Hackney City Farm is a unique alternative education provider for young people who are not in school because of behavioural, emotional and/or social difficulties leading to lack of engagement, disaffection and poor attendance.

Our mission is to engage, nurture, care and prepare young people for their future lives. This mission statement informs everything we do.

We admit a maximum of 10 young people between the ages of 13 to 17. We also offer part-time courses for groups of students.

We receive referrals via Hackney’s vocational college and Pupil Referral Unit, and New Regents College, Ickburgh Road, E5 8AD, tel. 020 8985 6833.

Welcome to the School at Hackney City Farm! We are happy to meet you/see you again and we hope that you will be happy here this term.

Here are a few rules we would like you to be aware of because of the coronavirus risk to everyone’s health and rules about behaviour generally:

  • Keep at least 1 metre+ apart from others ie no touching and no malicious coughing
  • Wash your hands in-between activities and when you arrive at and leave school asks, gloves and hand sanitiser are available for use)
  • Only use the equipment given to you
  • Follow adult instructions regarding safety
  • If at any point you feel unwell or unsafe, inform an adult and if you feel unwell before coming to school, you should stay at home
  • Respect others as you would wish to be respected
  • Try your best at all times
  • Hand in your phone, tablet, earphones for safekeeping when asked to do so

For example: high temperature, new continuous cough, lack of taste/smell

  • Isolate the student from others
  • Call the carer/parent to inform them
  • Issue a test to the pupil
  • Drive them home in the taxi
  • Parent/carer to inform the school of the results of the test
  • AJ to inform the local health protection team (see below) if the test is positive
  • Decision is taken by the local health protection team as to whether to close the school

PHE North East and North Central London Health Protection Team

The school forms part of the much loved Hackney City Farm and our young people receive their education in a farm environment where they can gain skills in animal husbandry, horticulture, farm building maintenance, bicycle maintenance, cooking, and much more.

Our curriculum is based around basic skills, vocational education and personal development.

Our students are entered for Functional Skills examinations at Entry Level, Level 1 or Level 2 (GCSE equivalent) in Literacy, Numeracy and ICT. Some students also sit Maths GCSE.

We use the Open College Network London to accredit our courses in animal husbandry, horticulture, bicycle maintenance and emergency first aid. We offer BTEC Level 1 and Level 2 Home Cooking Skills.

A core component of our curriculum focuses on improving young people’s emotional and social wellbeing. This is delivered primarily through the PHSE curriculum, one-to-one tutoring and mentoring. A number of our students gain a Step Up Award in Personal Development accredited by the Open College Network London.

Most days include outdoor activities and sports, as well as environmental, practical and creative projects.

We have achieved great success in stabilising and improving attendance, improving re-engagement with the education process and ensuring that all our young people progress to good quality destinations.

Statutory guidance for schools and colleges. Information for all school and college staff.

KCSIE_2021_Part_One_September

Adrian Johnson school@hackneycityfarm.co.uk

The school proprietor is the chair of Hackney City Farm Trustees. David Brook can be contacted on 020 7729 6381 or farm@hackneycityfarm.co.uk

The Governors of the School are led by John Condon (Chair) assisted by Catrin Lewis and Chris Pounds. They may be contacted on 020 7729 6381 or farm@hackneycityfarm.co.uk.   The proprietor is also a member of the Governing Body.

The postal address for the Proprietor and the Governors is:

The School at Hackney City Farm,
Hackney City Farm,
1a Goldsmith’s Row,
London, E2 8QA

Tel: 020 7729 6391

Ofsted Report Summary 01.04.2022
10214682 The school at Hackney City Farm - Published Report

The School is a referral unit for young people with diverse educational backgrounds.

Of the 8 students that completed examinations at the School in the 2016-2017 academic year we are pleased to report that 7 achieved Maths Functional Skills at Level 3. Additionally 2 students gained English at Level 2 and 1 an accredited ICT qualification.

All students had improved attendance as a result of attending the School. Upon leaving all 8 planned to continue in further education in a variety of fields.

If you would like further information on our students achievements please do not hesitate to contact the School Manger directly.

Pupil Premium is held by the school’s educational partners, New Regent’s College. This is used to fund the placement at our school, as well as to pay for team support from the College.

The School at Hackney City Farm is a publically funded Alternative Provider and makes no individual pupil or parent charges.

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Funders &
supporters

We would like to thank all our donors, volunteers and friends whose contribution to our farm really makes a difference.

Thank you to:

– The Big Lottery Fund
– City Bridge Trust
– London Borough of Hackney
– Peter Stebbings Memorial Charity
– Hoxton Cidersmiths
– Bowyer-Pounds and Co
– Heritage Lottery Fund

– Arts Council England
– The Learning Trust
– Stonewall Park Charitable Trust
– Downwell Demolition
– Worshipful Company of Woolmen
– Lesbians & Gays Support Livestock
– Robert Freeman

– Robert Rider
– Sophie Pawson
– Zoe Holder
– Tom Curtis
– Ben Firshman
– Daniel Bower @ HOOP
– many significant anonymous donors.

Also thank you to all volunteers who help us with the shop, garden, animals, on the board, maintaining the place, pottery and much, much more.
Farm logo
Hackney City Farm
1a Goldsmiths Row
London E2 8QA
Tuesdays to Sundays
10:00–16:30
Closed Mondays except bank holidays