ABOUT US
Poplar Care Farm is situated in an area of outstanding beauty to the east of Woodbridge, with areas of woodland, pasture, fruit and vegetable growing areas. It is currently home to horses, chickens, guinea pigs, rabbits and dogs.
Students are involved in growing a variety of fruit and vegetables as well as garden plants. We are currently planning and developing a Market garden to run as a student enterprise. We also manage areas of woodland for conservation, coppicing and removing some wood for firewood and to use to build bug hotels, hedgehog shelters and bird boxes. Poplar Care Farm has alternative provision quality assurance accreditation with Suffolk County Council and is also registered with Care Farm UK. All staff and volunteers are DBS checked and have completed Safeguarding and Prevent training. We always have a qualified First Aider on site.
Our curriculum is based on developing:
Responsible citizens who:
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Are happy
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Have belief in themselves
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Are confident in different situations
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Make choices and express their opinions
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Try new things
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Prepared for adult life
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Have meaningful relationships
Confident individuals who:
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Make healthy choices
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Know how to stay safe
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Interact and engage with others
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Have a strong bond within the community
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Have respect for all others
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Show good behaviour
Successful learners who:
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Enjoy learning and are engaged
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Make progress and reach their full potential
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Are able to transfer skills
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Work together to achieve success
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Will become as independent as possible
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Communicate effectively
QUALIFICATIONS
At Poplar Care Farm we offer a range of exciting activities and the chance to train and gain qualifications/work experience in areas including Animal Care and Land Based Studies. All secondary age students work towards a number of ASDAN programmes that promote active learning, progression and reward achievement, and can also be accumulated towards additional qualifications. For students in year 9 and above we can also offer the opportunity to work towards Land-Based skills qualifications at Entry Level, Level 1 awards and Level 2 certificates - all courses are completely portfolio based.
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The courses that we offer are ideal as a starting point for young people with the aim of providing a sound knowledge and skills base which will allow progression to further learning or qualifications, or into employment opportunities. We have staff qualified to Level 4 in Careers advice and guidance and we work closely with students, parents, carers and professionals to enable young people to have a skill set that allows them the opportunity to progress further when leaving Poplar Care Farm.
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Several of the courses that we offer are accredited and can count towards schools Progress 8 measures. Alongside these qualifications, we also offer all students the opportunity to complete St Johns Ambulance first aid certificates, Food and Hygiene qualifications and British Horse Society progressive riding and stable management qualifications.
