Sheep-shearing school promises greener pastures to children of Birkenhead estate

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. open image in gallery Corey jokes around while Megan and Abbie Swann watch as the students practise their head-collaring technique on toy dogs on the farm at Woodchurch High School “It is really important that have an opportunity to achieve, to thrive, to actually show skills,” headteacher Rebekah Phillips says, adding that the project has also helped to support social and emotional development. open image in gallery Megan puts a head collar onto one of the school’s North Ronaldsay sheep during an animal-handling session Year 10 pupil Ella-Rose Mitchinson, 14, was awarded Student of the Year 2023 by the School Farms Network – a collection of 140 schools, many in rural communities. open image in gallery Ella-Rose gestures towards one of the school’s pigs as she feeds the animals on the farm Year 8 pupil Corey Gibson, 13, agrees. “It was just completely different to what we were used to, and I just loved it.” open image in gallery Pupils Megan, Abbie and Corey wait for the judge to deliver his results as they compete in the Young Handlers class at the Westmorland County Show Increasingly the school is recognised as a centre for conservation – following a stroke of luck, when it was gifted North Ronaldsay sheep at the farm’s opening in 2010.