After a fiercely contest contention last weekend between five UK secondary school , Laurus Ryecroft ( Manchester ) has won the esteemed title of ' Food , Farming and Natural Environment School of the Year 2021 ' . The national competition , move by education organization LEAF Education , in collaboration with Coleg Cambria , aims to radiate a luminousness on sustainable husbandry and food production through experiential on - farm experiences for young people .
The weekend , which take place at the Llysfasi campus , see student and staff employment with LEAF Education staff , college lecturers , the farm manager , and industry experts to debate the movement : ' Farming can become carbon electroneutral in the future ' . Students discuss this complex issue in detail and used their understanding and noesis to gift an evidence - based response to the hypothesis , which they presented to a panel of judges . The presentations were delivered with a clear passionateness and support for the farming industry . They also demonstrated the grasp the students had gained of the exit and challenges face the agriculture industriousness in its journey to internet zero by 2040 .
Strong belief in the farming industryLEAF Education Director of Education and Public Engagement , Carl Edwards , explain : “ Each schooltime was more than worthy of their billet in the final , but it was the group of students from Laurus Ryecroft in Manchester that stood out the most . We were impressed by how they linked every experience they had to supporting their strong notion that the farming diligence can become carbon neutral by 2040 . Having had zero experience on - farm before , the judges were blow away by how quickly and competently these three unseasoned adult understood what our industriousness is doing to tackle the clime crisis . Congratulations to everyone , not just the pull ahead school but to all those who shoot part ! ”
The Food , Farming and Natural Environment School of the Year competition , launch by LEAF Education in 2018 , take aim to wage and inspire next generations about agriculture and nutrient output through transformative and meaningful on - farm experiences . It offers young people the chance to experience farming , bring them closer to how their food is produced , parent cognisance of the part of farming in combatting climate change and the life history opportunity available in the sector .
LEAF Education launched the “ Food , Farming and Natural Environment School of the Year ” rivalry in 2018 . Out of the 33 students who have take on part in the competition since its inception , more than a third ( 12 ) have gone on to apply to study at land - based college . All students cover that it had ‘ positively changed their sensing of the farming manufacture ’ and that it had ‘ help them with their studies back at shoal ’ .
supererogatory experienceHead of School at Laurus Ryecroft , Martin Vevers , said : " Being involved with this contest has provide our pupil with opportunity they would not normally get . To meet with inspirational speakers and to learn about sustainability in an pedantic and practical way is priceless for them and us . For us to win National Innovation School of the Year just goes to show how much our new people measure sustainability in food production and are sharp to learn more . "
Elin Roberts , Assistant Principal and Llysfasi Site Lead , said : “ It was great to receive challenger from all over the UK at Llysfasi . It was a real pleasure to witness such enthusiasm and jazz that new citizenry have for the surround , food yield , and farming . There is a genuine mania amongst young masses to see farming and the environment be safeguarded for future generations , and along with LEAF Education , Llysfasi is thankful for this partnership to learn the untried people about the activities in sustainable livestock production , timberland direction , and how agriculture can raise the environment . ”
The five finalist participating in the weekend were :
William Howard School , CumbriaThe Market Bosworth School , LeicestershireLaurus Ryecroft , ManchesterPipers Corner School , BuckinghamshireYsgol y Preseli , Pembrokeshire
For more data : LEAFStoneleigh Park , KenilworthWarwickshire , CV8 2LG+44 ( 0)247 6413 911[email protected]leafuk.org
