At Sweetlands Farm, children and young people learn through real experiences with horses, farm animals and the countryside.

As an approved AQA Unit Award Scheme Centre, we offer structured programmes that combine practical learning, animal care and personal development, with opportunities to work towards optional nationally recognised AQA Unit Awards

Our animal learning experiences are designed for children who thrive when they're hands on doing. Whether that's learning to read a pony's body language, understanding what a pig needs to be happy, or taking responsibility for a chicken's daily routine, every session is grounded in real, hands-on experience with real farm animals.

Sweetlands Farm is a fully licensed, structured and safeguarded learning environment, run by experienced riding school owners with a long-standing passion for education through animals and the countryside.

5★ DEFRA licensed

ABRS (Association of British Riding Schools) approved

Approved AQA Unit Award Scheme (UAS) Centre

EASP Member & HEIR Registered

Experienced riding school and animal learning team

Safe, structured and safeguarded learning environment.

For parents, schools, home educators and SENCOs, that means confidence from the very first enquiry.

For parents, schools and SENCOs, that means confidence from the very first visit.

No two sessions are the same, but every one is guided, purposeful and shaped around the animals and the season.

Children might spend time with our herd of ponies and horses, our rare breed Royal Guernsey Goats, our rare breed Oxford Sandy & Black Pigs, our friendly Zwartbles Sheep, our pack of dogs or our mixed flock of chickens - learning not just facts about these animals, but how to be around them. How to observe, how to communicate, how to care.

Sessions are kept small by design. That's what makes them work.

All sessions are tailored to the age and ability of the group, and bespoke programmes are available for schools, home education groups and individual learners. If you have specific curriculum objectives or learning goals in mind, we're happy to discuss how we can shape sessions around them. 

Children gain far more than knowledge about animals.

Through practical, hands-on experiences, learners develop confidence, communication skills, responsibility, independence and teamwork while working alongside our ponies, horses, goats, pigs, sheep and chickens.

Sessions encourage curiosity, problem-solving and real-world learning, helping children build practical skills and a sense of achievement through meaningful experiences rather than classroom-based activities.

As learners progress, they develop a deeper understanding of animal care, welfare, farming and the natural world, while also building confidence in their own abilities and celebrating personal achievements along the way.

For those choosing our optional AQA pathway, achievements can be formally recognised through nationally recognised Unit Awards, creating a portfolio of skills, knowledge and progress over time.

Sweetlands Farm is an Approved AQA Unit Award Scheme Centre which means the learning that happens here can be formally recognised.

The AQA Unit Award Scheme recognises practical achievement and personal progress. It is particularly well suited to learners who thrive through hands-on experiences, allowing them to gain recognition for skills, knowledge and confidence developed through real-world learning.

At Sweetlands, learners can work towards units in areas including:

• Animal care and welfare

• Horse and pony care

• Farm animal husbandry

• Seasonal farm activities

• Practical farm and outdoor skills

• Teamwork, confidence and communication

Learners who complete units receive an official AQA certificate - a genuine, nationally recognised award that celebrates what they've achieved.

The AQA pathway is optional and sits alongside our sessions rather than driving them, ensuring the focus always remains on meaningful learning experiences. Additional enrolment fees apply for learners choosing to participate in the AQA pathway.

Session Information

• Approximately 1½ hours

• Small-group, hands-on learning

• Sessions booked and paid for in half-term blocks

• Optional AQA Unit Award Scheme pathway available

• Fees available on enquiry

Our sessions are open to:

Schools - looking for curriculum-enriching outdoor learning, alternative provision or visits that support PSHE, science and wellbeing objectives.

Home educators - wanting structured, progressive sessions that offer both accredited learning and real-world experience.

Children who benefit from a different style of learning - our environment is calm, non-pressured and built around doing. Many children flourish here in ways that surprise everyone, including themselves.

Sessions are intentionally kept small to allow meaningful interaction, participation and learning.

Animal & Farm Learning is primarily aimed at children aged 7 years and above. Suitability can be discussed for younger children on an individual basis.

Alongside term-time programmes, selected Animal & Farm Learning sessions are also available during school holidays.

We'd love to hear from you. Whether you're a school, a SENCO, a home educator or a parent exploring options, we're happy to talk through what might work best for your child or group.