Burford School Students Plant The Acre's Orchard with FarmED

Founded by the proceeds of the wool trade, Burford School owes its very existence to the land. We are proud of our rural roots and though these have faded over time we continue to enjoy a strong, country feel. 

Indeed, many of our students enjoy our outdoor learning zone, The Acre, based on the site of our historic farm. Not only does this have clear benefits for their mental health and wellbeing, but introduces them to the exciting prospects land-based careers can offer. 

As we look to the future, and the increasing complexities of climate change, we hope to further develop an offer around a contemporary rural curriculum. To support us as we develop this work, we have been drawing on the knowledge and expertise of – amongst others – Cotswold Natural Landscape, FarmED and the Cotswold Farming Cluster. It is through this network that we are delighted to announce that we have been gifted a donation of fruit trees for The Acre’s burgeoning orchard. 

Under specialist guidance from the growers at FarmED, students just before half-term (Friday 9 February 2024) had the hands-on opportunity to plant up the orchard and will continue to nurture and in time harvest it. 

We are incredibly grateful to Deborah Taylor-Lang who has so generously provided the trees; as well as to the PTA, who are funding necessary materials for the planting, and to Chris Notman, a parent and tree surgeon who kindly donated woodchip to support the development of paths and the planting of the trees.