Education

Education is an important part of the work of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society. The Society is in the unique position of being able to draw together a wide range of expertise and experience on all aspects of countryside life for the benefit of children and adults across Yorkshire and Humber.
 
The Society uses its position and experience in the following ways:
 
 

One-Day Courses for Teachers

 
An established and very popular part of the education portfolio now covering topics such as:
 
  • Teaching Trees
  • Ponds for Primary Schools
  • Orienteering
  • Creating a School Garden for Primary Schools
  • Developing a Wildlife Garden and Pond
  • Introducing Fruit Growing to the School Garden
  • With new ones in the pipeline all the time.
 
The courses are free to teachers or assistants currently involved in practical work in school.
 
Teachers attending such courses have the opportunity to inspect the site with the intention of bringing pupil groups to work independently.
 

Countryside Days

 
An extensive two-day event being held on Wednesday and Thursday 11th and 12th June 2008 which is aimed at introducing 8-11year olds (Key Stage 2) from across the region to life in the countryside. A practical, interactive day involving lots of first hand experience and lots of fun.
 
For each child coming to this event there will be two timetabled half-hour workshops, periods when schools may explore all the activities and two/three ‘shows’ The workshops and shows will include:
 
  • Farm Machinery
  • Farm Animals
  • The Sheep Show
  • Hedge Laying
  • Rug making
  • Dry-stone walling
  • Breadmaking
  • Sheepdogs
  • Falconry
  • And much more
 
The day is free to all primary schools but children, teachers and helpers should provide their own lunch and drinks.
 
Facilities available to schools on the showground whilst attending any of the events for schools are:
 
  • Indoor facilities to leave bags and coats during the day
  • Indoor facilities for eating lunch in inclement weather
  • Picnic area
  • Ample toilet and hand washing facilities
  • Site map
  • Excellent coach and car parking throughout the day
  • Medical staff and an ambulance available all day at the larger events only
 

Competition at Countryside Days

 
All schools coming to Countryside Days are invited to enter the Model Competition by making a model of a Butterfly or Moth. This may be a three-dimensional model or a two-dimensional plaque and should:
 
  • Where possible be the work of the children but with some guidance from teachers.
  • Be made largely of recyclable material.
 

Preparation for Countryside Days

 
This is a half-day session being held at 1-00pm on 11th March 2008 designed to bring teachers who have booked places at Countryside Days together to discuss:
 
  • Format of the day
  • Health and Safety
  • Risk Assessment
  • Tour of the site.
 
A light lunch will be provided.
 

Great Yorkshire Show

 
The Discovery Zone is the place within the show for every member of the family to explore in a practical and interactive way Healthy Living, the Environment, The Countryside and for small children to have fun in our Early Years area. The Cooking Bus will also be in the zone
 
The Great Yorkshire of 2008 is the 150th Show and this anniversary falls within the Year of Food and Farming. Within the Discovery Zone there will be an interactive exhibition on Fifty years of Food and Farming – be prepared to take part in life in the country as it was.
 
For the second year we will have an area devoted to Renewable Energy where companies can display both fuel and the means to generate it so that visitors may compare systems and fuels.
 
 

Countryside Careers

 
This very popular event will be held for a second year in the Yorkshire Events Centre on Wednesday 15th October 2008. The event comprises a wide range of exhibitors offering an opportunity to sample the skills required in various career areas, It provides an exciting and interactive experience for Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4 and Sixth Form students and will include careers in:
  • Agriculture
  • Agricultural and Horticultural Engineering
  • Veterinary Science
  • Horticulture and garden design.
  • Rural Crafts
  • Food production
  • Cooking
 
A range of local colleges will have information and guidance on the courses they hold.
 

Science for the Future

 
Now in it’s third year this very interesting and exciting event is being held on Thursday 20th November 2008. This is a joint venture between the Central Science Laboratory (Defra) and the Yorkshire Agricultural Society and is being held at the Central Science Laboratory site at Sand Hutton. It is aimed at Secondary Science teachers and technicians working in secondary schools across Yorkshire and the Humber. The event is an opportunity for science teachers to listen to presentations, take part in workshops given by the scientists at Sand Hutton, tour part of the site whilst bringing their science of the countryside up to date.
 
 
 
 
 

Farmhouse Breakfast Week

 
In January of each year the Society takes part in Farmhouse Breakfast Week when a local primary school is invited to enjoy an excellent breakfast and to take part in workshops, which will show the children where the components of their breakfast originate.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
For further information on any of the events or website please contact:
 
Hazel Baker, Education Adviser
or
Di Kirkman, Education Administrator
Yorkshire Agricultural Society
Great Yorkshire Showground
Harrogate
North Yorkshire
HG2 8PW

Tel: 01423 541000
Fax: 01423 541414
Email education@yas.co.uk

Yorkshire Agricultural Society Reg. Charity No: 513238