When you are in school there is the opportunity to engage the pupils with some hands on activities which can be run in collaboration with your talk. This helps makes the visit more memorable. 

There are a range of simple activities you can undertake. If you are looking to undertake any food based activities please make sure you let your local coordinator know so that they can ensure the relevant risk assessment is in place.

Each year RHET deliver new learning opportunities with different themes. This academic year the focus Journey of Food All Things Dairy. You can find more about the project, resources and events happening by visiting our dedicated project page where you will also find the content developed for previous themes.

• Cattle passport example
• Make your own butter
• Mini field stats
• Make your own muesli
• Make your own oat drink
• Reindeer food
• Cottage cheese
• Overnight oats
• Tasting activities
• Wheat - grinding and bread
• Making scones

Early Years Resource Boxes

To help enthuse young children about food and farming the RHET network has a series of early year boxes. These boxes are full of props, toys and books to help teachers teach in school.

They are usually left in school for a week or two to give the teacher the opportunity to fully utilise the contents. These boxes can be used in place of or to supplement a classroom talk.

You can view more information here.

Speaker Boxes

Some areas have boxes full of props which you can borrow to take into school. 

These boxes contain a selection of animal feed, hay, wool and straw samples in sealed bags, an ear tag and passport, images of farming (either laminated or on memory sticks), information from Quality Meat Scotland and posters and what’s in season information. 

If you want to make your own talk box we would encourage you to do this as the props you use can tell your own unique story. 

Please remember that everything you use should be clean and in the case of feed samples enclosed to prevent problems with allergies. 

If you are in any doubt about the props you want to use, please speak with your coordinator.

Animals in Schools

RHET support farmers wishing to take lambs and/or chicks into school and some areas have classrooms on wheels to enable larger animals to be easily transported to schools.

There are a few keys points to note.  If you are thinking about taking in a lamb or hen/chicks please speak to your local coordinator first before approaching the school. 

The health and welfare of the animal is top priority and you will need a risk assessment signed off before taking the animal in. 

The following principles apply:

• Hand washing must take place immediately after seeing the animal.
• If possible, keep the lamb/hen outside in a viewing pen and ensure you lay down a removal cover (eg a tarpaulin) under bedding to catch any animal waste.
• Ensure animals are kept in well ventilated area and away from noise and disturbance as much as possible and have access to food and water
• Be aware of allergies to both animal and/or foodstuffs
• Only a designated adult can handle the animal.  Animal welfare is top priority and petting should only be offered if the animal is happy to be touched by children
• Limit the group size looking at the animal at any one time
• Minimise the length of the visit

Further information and guidance is available from your local coordinator.