The Totteridge
Academy
GROW X TTA KITCHEN FILM
We are very proud to present our new film showcasing the important relationship between the GROW farm and The Totteridge Academy’s Kitchen.
We started working with The Totteridge Academy (TTA) in 2019 and over the last six years, we have provided produce for over 100,000 school lunch plates!
As an agroecological farm, education is central to our work. That is why we partner with TTA: a truly special school that understands the importance of holistic education, of the intrinsic link between well-being and learning, and who care deeply about the lives of their students outside of the classroom. Over the next 5 years, we aim to create and share a model of how schools and farms can work together to create thriving, resilient food systems that benefit both education and community well-being.
JOIN US in our agro-education movement! We run a yearly GROW Futures programme for people looking to bring agroecology into their schools in any way (you do not need to have a farm!). Our next programme is running in October:
Thank you so much to TTA for welcoming and embracing agroeoclogy, and to everyone involved in making this film. Director: @taradarby I Production Company: Laird and Good Company I Producer: Ellen Miller I Director of Photography, Edit, Grade: Adam Langdon
THE TOTTERIDGE ACADEMY
GROW and The Totteridge Academy work together to embed the GROW farm into daily school life.
Through our partnership with The Totteridge Academy, we want to show how schools and farms can work together to create resilient local food systems, enhance learning and well-being, and strengthen community.
The GROW farm and GROW team are an important part of daily school life and we continue to work with The Totteridge Academy to find meaningful and lasting ways for all students to be involved in aspects of GROW and the Farm.
THE TTA KITCHEN
GROW works very closely with the kitchen team at The Totteridge Academy. GROW produce is delivered to the TTA kitchen every week. Head Chef, James Fox, and his kitchen team create seasonal dishes that incorporate GROW produce which students and staff can enjoy every day.
Each season, the entire kitchen team visits the GROW Farm for a training session led by our Farm Manager, Chris.
GROW’s relationship with the TTA Kitchen supports our mission to make agroecologically grown food available to all!
THE CURRICULUM
We work with a variety of subjects across TTA to give all students the opportunity to practically apply subject knowledge on the farm. Certain subjects have easily identifiable links with the farm, like Science and Food Technology, however we are passionate about supporting all subjects to utilise the outdoor learning opportunities the farm has to offer.
Examples of the the TTA curriculum lessons that have taken place on the GROW farm are listed below.
Food Technology: Seasonality lessons and tasting tours of the farm
Photography: Landscape photography
English: Creative writing lessons
Geography: Geographical skills and fieldwork
CLUBS
GROW Student Board of Advisors
The GROW Student Board of Advisors are a group of TTA students who meet regularly to discuss all things GROW. The Student Board of Advisors contributes to GROW by giving feedback on how we operate in the school, as well as sharing ideas about what GROW could be doing better. They support with fundraising, marketing, and events.
Y7 After School Club
This after school club is open to any TTA Y7’s and aims to support the transition to secondary school. Students take part in seasonal farm activities and learn food growing skills.
GROW OUTDOORS
GROW runs an early support programme for referred groups of students who need additional support with their well-being. We run three groups a term for Y7 - Y9 students.
Over 10 weeks, students learn about sustainable food growing knowledge through practical, hands-on farm tasks, as well as learning and using breathing exercises and mindfulness techniques to support their well-being.
ENRICHMENT
Work Experience
We offer work experience placements for Y10 and Y12 TTA students. Students can choose to focus on different aspects of the charity: farming, horticulture, animal care, fundraising, finance, or facilitation.
Duke of Edinburgh Volunteering
We offer volunteering opportunities for TTA students that are completing their Duke of Edinburgh Award. Students can either volunteer their time to support tasks on the farm or assist at one of our after school clubs.
