The Countryside Foundation for Education, in partnership with Lee Valley Regional Park Authority , ran their 7th very successful Countryside Live event at Lee Valley Park on Wednesday 23 and Thursday 24 September. Over 3,000 children, their teachers and helpers from 42 schools from several London Boroughs, attended over the two days.

The Sheep Show in full swing

"We wanted to explore the differences between city lifestyle
and the countryside lifestyle.We shall use this for recount writing."
J Knott Y5 Latymer All Saints

Forest School

British Association of Shooting and Conservation

Fullers Shire Horses and Dray

British Wateways

"Birds of Prey will be a part of our School Science Week activities."
Omar Jennings Y4 St Dominic's Primary

Ferret Racing

Almost 40 organisations exhibited at the Lee Valley Regional Park event and many of them commented on the enthusiastic, well behaved children. The children met a variety of animals, watched (and took part in) a full and varied arena programme and highly entertaining Sheep Show, had a ride on the Fuller's Dray, in the British Waterways boat and the Drapers' Company Shallop. They were also able to have a go at lots of hands-on activities which helped give them a taste of rural life and healthy eating. Guided nature trails were also available with the Lee Valley Park Youth and Schools staff and also guided tours of the Lee Valley Riding Centre.

Drapers' Company Shallop

"Our objectives for the day were to enjoy aspects
of the countryside. Look at animal husbandry,
habitats, adaptation, food chains and country crafts.
As always, we saw everything we wanted to see and more."
Jane Roth Y6 Manorside Primary

Meet the basset hounds

"We had interaction with animals at the different
activities and all activities provided a positive
experience of the countryside."
Erin Robinson Y4 Manorside Primary

Falconry - fly over

The Countryside Foundation for Education would like to thank the following for their support:

Lee Valley Regional Park Authority
The Fiona Barker Memorial Fund
King Cullimore Charitable Trust
The Worshipful Company of Cutlers
Inspire – The New Hackney Education Business Partnership

and to all the organisations and schools who took part in the event.

Completed willow wreaths

"Thank you for this event. The children and
the teachers enjoyed it very much."
Miranda Fourie Reception-Y6 Nightingale Primary

Waiting to board the British Waterways boat

"I was very impressed with the animal detective workshop
and are workshops. Gave me some good ideas that could
be used in other curriculum areas. The children were
overwhelmed with all the activities and participated
with enthusiasm."
Dee Buchanan Y3 Tiverton Primary

British Waterways boat

Wood turning

The Sheep Show

Meet the ducks

"Our parent helpers felt the whole idea was great and they
enjoyed their day. They felt that the children really learnt
a lot from the event."
Shirin Collin Y1 Eldon Infant School

Helping out with the Gundog Display

"How will you use what you have learnt from the event
when you return to the classroom?
Willow weaving will be used for D&T, the care of
animals will be used within Habitats and the general
care and welfare of the countryside will be used
in sustainability."
Linda Lauder Y4 Walker Primary

5 a day fun

"Very well organised and plenty to keep
the children busy."
Miss Donald Y5 Wilbury Primary

Learning about bats

and learning about where food comes from

Children set off on a Nature Trail run by
Lee Valley Regional Park Authority
Youth and Schools team

Learning about pigeons with the Royal Pigeon Racing Association

The willow dome

"We will use this to make links to our new
Creative Curriculum, enabling the children to
have first hand experiences of farming,
country crafts and food etc."
Mrs Frith and Miss Kusi Y4 Prince of Wales Primary

One of the thank you letters received from Chase Side Primary

Other comments from Chase Side children....

"I am 8 years old. I liked the Sheep Show best,
it made me laugh and I will never forget it."

"My favourite thing was making the Scarecrows."

"I had a wonderful time at Lee Valley, one of
my favourite things was the willow weaving."

"Thank you for letting us come to Countryside Live,
I enjoyed the Nature Trail because I caught a
daddy long legs that was a very big one too."

" I really enjoyed looking at the different birds, such
as a barn owl, it was really soft!"

"I was so excited and I really was excited, I was
so happy when I got there. My most favourite
things to do was making corn dollies and feeling
the soft dogs."

"I like knocking down the fruit, I knocked them all
down except for the pineapple, I hit it but it wobbled
and didn't fall off."

"My favourite thing was crunching up the wheat
to make into flour."

One of the thank you cards from Daubeney Primary

COUNTRYSIDE LIVE........
happy children...

and happy teachers...

and happy exhibitors...

"Would you visit Countryside Live again?
Definitely, so well organised. The area felt safe and contained.
The activities were well set out and at an appropriate level
of interest for the children. The stall holders and Countryside Live
staff were so very friendly and helpful and so patient with the
children, I was VERY impressed."
Erin Robinson Y4 Manorside Primary

Countryside Live Press Coverage click here to view pdf file.

We look forward to seeing you again in 2010.
Dates are Wed 22 and Thurs 23 September.
Images by LVRPA

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For free downloadable online resources please
refer to the Countryside Foundation for Education website
and also the Teaching Trees website

For farms to visit go to the Farms for Schools website