A POPULAR farm facility has been closed by a Dales school because it no longer had to resources to carry it on.

Wensleydale School in Leyburn introduced the farm in 2009 as a means of introducing children to animals and agricultural work.

But the school has said it no longer has the resources to keep it going, and courses that had been supported by it were no longer recognised qualifications.

Wensleydale School head teacher Graham Parker said: “The decision to close the farm is a sound one, but one taken with considerable regret.

"We simply no longer have the resources to keep the farm going. Furthermore, due to changes in the examination system, the farm is no longer required to support the curriculum.

“BTEC agriculture, for example, is no longer a recognised qualification. We have to provide value for money and concentrate on the key objective of the school: to promote student achievement for all students.

“All the traditional routes to agricultural college are still open for our students.”

Emma Pharoah said her son had regularly used the farm and it gave him an opportunity to learn about animals that he would not otherwise have had.

She said: “The farm has just been taken away without warning – it has been very upsetting for my son and other children.

“Parents have not been notified and I think we should have been told so we could prepare children.

“The agriculture course was very successful and eight students last year went on to do land-based courses at college.

“They maintained a variety of animals, bred sheep, calves, reared pigs and used farm eggs.

“It was well supported by local farmers and businesses, all of whom helped with donations of animals and equipment, or gave their time and expertise.”

A countryside and environment course was introduced in 2011, and the school also supported vulnerable learners, with other schools including Mowbray in Bedale and The Dales School near Northallerton making visits.

Mrs Pharoah added: “My son has learning difficulties and helped out on the farm every day as it was a great source of stress relief for him.

“He finds it extremely difficult in stressful situations and also finds it quite hard to build up relationships with people - being on the farm has helped him immensely throughout his time at Wensleydale School.

“It’s just such a shame it had to come to an end.”