LEAF Education names John Hanson School as its latest Demonstration School for showcasing best practice in food and farming education

John Hanson School in Andover has been named LEAF Education’s 10th Demonstration School, recognising its exemplary work in showcasing food and farming through education. The school received the accolade at an event held yesterday (30th June) at The Leckford Estate, a LEAF Demonstration Farm, which is owned by the John Lewis Partnership and supplies Waitrose.

LEAF Education launched its Demonstration Schools network in 2019 to recognise schools using food production, farming and the countryside as a core element of the school curriculum. John Hanson School has joined the network after meeting several criteria. This includes exemplary teaching methods, engagement with farmers, provision of school gardens, nature-friendly grounds and wider school community engagement, including events and hands-on activities specifically designed around the field to fork story.

LEAF Education Director of Education and Public Engagement, Carl Edwards, explained: “It is so important to shine a light on schools that are leading the way in embedding farming into their teaching and support them in developing a whole school ethos, based on building deeper and richer connections with young people and the food they eat. John Hanson School is delivering just this: engaging pupils, encouraging innovation and driving forward real improvements in how our consumers of the future connect with food and farming and wider issues around sustainability, climate change, diets and wellbeing. We are delighted to welcome them to the LEAF Education Demonstration School Network, and excited to see the role they will play in in inspiring other schools.”

Mr Stevens, Headteacher at John Hanson Community School, said: “We are thrilled to be joining LEAF Education’s Demonstration Schools network. We believe that providing young people with opportunities to learn about how their food is produced and where it comes from has a huge positive impact on young people. Whether this is in terms of promoting health and wellbeing or raising awareness of issues around climate change, environmental protection, population growth and sustainability. We look forward to being part of this exciting and knowledgeable community.”

LEAF Education is currently working with a further 17 schools who will be launched as LEAF Education Demonstration Schools over the forthcoming 2021/2022 academic year.