A Market Drayton teenager is making a good impression in combining his school work with life on the farm.
Denzil Crossley is involved in a special “work-based” programme at the Grove School which combines maths, English and science with a vocational qualification in agriculture.
Denzil, 14, spends two days a week at Park Hill Farm in Hales and another farm near Hinstock where he helps to look after cows, pigs and goats, with three days of lessons at the Newcastle Road school.
He said: “I started in September and I feed the cows and pigs which I’ve really enjoyed.
“Sometimes, I have to take some of the calves off their mums when they’re born and get the cows in the cattle crush if they need a medical check-up.
“I was a bit nervous at first because I didn’t know who I would be working with at the farms and I didn’t know what John and Pat Pimlott were going to be like.
“I’ve told me family about it and they think I’m doing well up there, so that’s what I’d like to do when I leave school.”
Karen Jones, the Grove’s work-related learning coordinator, said: “Denzil needed to have a new curriculum based on what his needs were.
“He wanted to go along a work-based route and we wanted to find something that would engage him best and be practical.
“It’s been absolutely brilliant for him, he’s so positive and I was really surprised with how brilliant the farms were and by what they had to offer.
“Denzil absolutely loves going there, it’s made him more confident and it’s clearly been the right thing for him.”
Pat Pimlott of Park Hill Farm said: “We’re offering Denzil the opportunity to experience working on a farm and he’s doing very well.
“He’s working towards a land-based NVQ qualification where he needs to be working on a farm to get and we’re pleased with his progress.
“Denzil loves the animals and he’s quietly confident with them, he’s treated as an adult and his confidence has increased dramatically.
“The farm is always pleased to help where we can and we’re happy to work with the schools in building links.”
