~Uppingham Summer School~
This summer saw Chicken School specially commissioned to run a 1 day course for the Uppingham Summer School. This was fully subscribed and very successful, something we will be repeating in 2009.
Good solid ground work was undertaken in the classroom and many group activities were encouraged so everyone got the most from the day. The class comprised of those thinking of getting their own hens to those that wanted to learn more about the right way to care for thier existing flock.
Everyone had the opportunity to handle the hens we brought along with us on the day and to fully discuss signs of health and sickness.
Here is what the school had to say:
We were very pleased with the response we got to our "That's no Yolk" course delivered by Chicken School.
Val covered a massive agenda during the course of a single day - very importantly, the content of the course was also provided in note form to enable attendees to refer to it later at home.
The course was not only informative but inter-active also, enabling everyone to get their own specific questions answered. This was important as attendees were at different stages along the route between "possibly considering having chickens" to "have had quite a few for several months and wanting to learn more" - hearing others questions, and the answers to them, was an important part of the course.
At the end of the day, following the classrooms sessions, attendees were invited into the garden to meet and handle the chickens brought along specifically to give potential handlers a first opportunity of a "hands on" experience with birds, under close supervision.
In view of my interest in chicken-keeping I attended the course so I can comment both from the point of view of Summer School Director and course attendee.
Elaine Shaw
Ventures Director
Uppingham Summer School