Brymore School

Brymore is a boarding school (state run, not private) for 180 boys aged 13 to 17. We have our own 75 acre farm. The land we own is organic, the rest, which we rent is in conversion.

Although we have a farm manager, the day to day running of the farm is all done by the boys. The older ones act as Heads of Department and supervise the younger boys to do all the duties for the stock. We have 50 commercial ewes and 25 Shetlands, which lamb from Jan onwards and 15 dairy cows which calve throughout the year producing heifer replacements and calves for beef production which we run on until nearly 30 months. Lambs and beef go for sale at the local Farmers Market, as do the Free Range chickens reared in batches of about 25 for each month. We also produce Free Range eggs from our 50 hens for private sales to staff and parents. Our pig enterprise is changing to form a link with Cannington College, where they will keep the breeding stock (our boys will do duties there) and we will rear weaners from them to be sold on contract for bacon.

Brymore boys are working for their NVQ Level 2 Livestock Production, a demanding 'hands on' course based firmly in practical skills and daily stockmanship. It covers areas of feeding and maintaining stock their healthcare, treatment, preparing housing and maintaining the environment, as well as developing working relationships and communication.

Our primary aim is to enable our boys to become responsible reliable resilient young men who are well equipped for life outside school. In the process they achieve a qualification which recognises their achievements and stretches them to learn new skills and a broad knowledge base to support them.

In the area of healthcare and treatment they were originally being taught good basic principles of stockmanship and conventional practice. As we went organic we didn't want to lose this, but wanted to incorporate organic principles as well. This would give our boys a broad understanding from which to make their own decisions in the future.

Eventually this led me to a course called 'Homoeopathy at Wellie Level'. It was certainly 'wellie level' very down-to-earth and practical (which our boys are). I went along with very little understanding and a deal of uncertainty. Some other farmers on the course were even more sceptical than me. It was a well structured course, with a month between sessions in which to 'have a go' on your own farm. It started at a simple level which was easy to apply, then reinforce built on your previous knowledge to enable you to take it further each time to a level that suited you. The supporting notes and tapes enabled you to take the information with you in an easily accessible form. The lifeline was access to a qualified homoeopathic vet for advice over the phone. The course organiser was very helpful and approachable, and the standards of teaching from a range of homoeopaths and vets encouraged you to grasp the concepts and build your confidence.

I would recommend that whether you are organic or not, the idea needs considering. I was amazed at the results as were the sceptics on the course. It will certainly form a part of the teaching for the Brymore boys and you like them can then make your own informed decisions.

Eva Garrod, Head of Agriculture