Oathall Community College Farm | Social Farms & Gardens

Phone: 01444 414 001

Address: Appledore Gardens

Haywards Heath, West Sussex
RH16 2AQ

Oathall was one of the first schools in England to be designated as a specialist school with a Rural Dimension. The farm itself was set up in 1940 as part of 'dig for victory'. The farm is run as a mini business and markets its own produce including meat packs, eggs, plants, vegetables, honey and even manure.The farm is used to support the National Curriculum in various subjects and there is a farm trail with literature for early years pupils up to key stage 2. All the work on the farm including stock tasks, feeding, cleaning out and milking is carried out by students aged 11-16 before and after school, during holidays and at weekends. The farm has a large farm classroom, food storage areas, livestock barns, heated glasshouse, orchards, pond and bees, poly-tunnel, raised beds and a visitors centre. Webcams situated in the lambing sheds and furrowing house can be assessed through the college website. The farm has an open day on the third Sunday in May and an annual carol concert.

Facilities: Shop

Open to the public?: Yes

Open to the public?: Variable opening hours/pre-arranged visits/events or open days only

Opening hours:

Accessible?: No

Has livestock?: Yes

Details of livestock and rare breeds kept: Cows (Ayrshire milked in their own two cow abreast 'type' milking parlour), sheep (Suffolk, Texel, North Country mules), poultry, pigs (Large White and Large Black), bees

Directions: From Haywards Heath station turn right, proceed across roundabout into Sydney Road. At far end of Sydney Road take the second exit at roundabout onto B2112 - Lindfield. In 200 yards turn right into West Common drive and follow signs.