Pupils learn about farming through loan a lamb scheme

Schoolchildren have been learning about farming by spending a week looking after sheep.

More than 6,000 pupils across 18 schools in Sussex and Surrey have been involved in the Loan a Lamb project, organised by the South of England Agricultural Society.

The scheme aims to teach pupils about farming and how to care for animals, the society said.

One of the participating schools is Bohunt School in Horsham, West Sussex, where teacher Rhiannon Vallaly-Godfrey led the project.

"Working with children is something people tell you never to do – or animals – so we thought bringing the two together would be absolutely fabulous," Vallaly-Godfrey said.

"There's been a lot of hype around the whole school. As soon as they've either seen the lambs or heard about them, news has travelled."

Alan Smith, trustee chair of the society, added: "When you consider that some of the schools you go to, the children have had no pets at all. It's their first experience of a live animal.

"The excitement it provides is unbelievable."

Smith added that the Loan a Lamb scheme offered an exciting and unique opportunity for school children across the region.

"It provides students with hands-on experience caring for animals, learning about animal welfare and understanding the important role of sustainable food production," he added.

The scheme is in its fifth year, having expanded from 3,500 to more than 6,000 children in 2025.

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