TIVINGTON FARM SCHOOL
At Tivington Farm School, we recognize that some children with special educational needs (SEN) can find mainstream education overwhelming or difficult to access. That’s why we provide a calm, supportive, and engaging alternative provision for children in West Somerset, designed to help them reconnect with learning in a way that suits their individual needs. With over 50 years of combined experience in residential care and special school settings, our founders have deep expertise in supporting children with social, emotional, and behavioural needs. We specialize in assisting children who may feel dysregulated, anxious, or unable to thrive in a traditional classroom environment, ensuring they feel safe, understood, and ready to learn again. Our unique farm school curriculum offers a rich, therapeutic environment where children can learn through hands-on, meaningful experiences. Surrounded by animals and nature, children are encouraged to develop emotional awareness, self-regulation skills, and positive behaviour patterns—all while building their confidence in literacy, numeracy, and science alongside practical skills like cooking, carpentry, and art. At the core of our approach is the belief that every child can rediscover a love of learning. Through carefully planned activities and strong, trusting relationships, we help children grow in confidence, resilience, and self-esteem—supporting their journey back into mainstream education wherever possible. Tivington Farm School is situated on a working National Trust farm near Minehead, Somerset. While we are not a registered school and cannot be named on EHCPs, we collaborate closely with parents, schools, and professionals to deliver high-quality alternative provision tailored to each child’s needs including academic learning. Our farm is home to a diverse range of animals—including chickens, pigs, cattle, sheep, goats, alpacas, ponies, reptiles, and small animals—as well as polytunnels, greenhouses, and vegetable plots. Children participate in caring for animals and growing produce, which helps them develop responsibility, teamwork, and an understanding of the natural world and 'farm to plate' processes. Our experienced and dedicated team is highly skilled in supporting children with additional needs and is fully DBS checked. Above all, we are committed to creating a safe, nurturing environment where every child feels valued, capable, and inspired to succeed.
PLEASE EMAIL admin@tivingtonfarmschool.com if you have any questions or if you would like to arrange a visit
Tivington Farm CURRICULUM
Play therapy
In our own tree house! Play is a child's natural language, and at Tivington Farm School, we embrace this through our unique approach to alternative provision for children. We offer the opportunity to explore the benefits of play therapy with a professional therapist for parents and schools. Play therapy is a specialized form of therapy that utilizes specifically selected toys, mixed media, and the outdoor world to support children in their growth through play. By incorporating play into therapy, children can express themselves in their own way and at their own pace, all while being guided by a trained therapist in a safe environment. This method is particularly beneficial for those struggling to understand their feelings or articulate their experiences. Utilizing play allows children to explore their thoughts and emotions creatively, without the pressure of verbal communication. During sessions, children tap into their creativity and express themselves through various mediums, including drawing, painting, clay, sand tray activities, drama, puppetry, movement, music, and the outdoors. Discussing problems or past experiences can be challenging for children; they may lack the vocabulary to describe their feelings or behaviors, making it difficult to recognize or articulate their struggles. Play therapy offers the expertise and time needed to navigate these complexities through play. The sessions aim to build a child’s ability to develop healthy and resilient relationships, while also addressing traumatic experiences that may be occupying their minds. By using play and metaphor, children can engage in a safer and less intense manner to express themselves or explore their experiences. Non-directive play therapy supports children's autonomy by encouraging them to make choices about the pace and direction of their processing. They can select the mediums they wish to use, the toys they want to access, and they have the freedom to stop or change their play at any time, aligning with our farm school curriculum that promotes engagement through agriculture and holistic learning..
Forest school
Forest School provides invaluable opportunities for children with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) and Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs to develop confidence, resilience, independence and emotional regulation within a nurturing, outdoor environment. Through practical, hands-on experiences, children can engage in learning at their own pace, away from the pressures and demands of a traditional classroom. Forest School encourages positive relationships, teamwork, problem-solving, communication and the development of essential life skills, while providing a calming environment that supports sensory regulation, emotional wellbeing and self-esteem. At Tivington Farm School, we recognise the significant benefits that outdoor learning can have for our children, which is why we have our own dedicated Forest School Practitioner. Having an in-house practitioner allows us to provide consistent, personalised and carefully planned sessions that reflect each child's individual needs, EHCP outcomes and SEMH targets. It also enables us to build trusting relationships, monitor progress over time and embed therapeutic, child-centred approaches into our wider curriculum. By making Forest School an integral part of our provision, rather than an occasional activity, we ensure that children have regular opportunities to experience success, develop a sense of belonging and build the emotional and practical skills needed to thrive both in education and beyond. If children are also placed with Oak & Grit alternative provision their curriculum at the farm will not contain forest school.
sausages
We have delicious sausages from our own pigs from around mid December.
Lincolnshire, Cumberland,
Cracked Black Pepper
6 for £4.50
For food enquiries email
honey
AVAILABLE NOW:
HONEY FROM OUR OWN BEES £6.00
It is in much bigger jars!
For food enquiries email
DAHLIAS
PICK YOUR OWN FLOWERS IS CLOSED FOR THE SEASON NOW. We will see you with a lot more new dahlia varieties in 2027.
For flowers enquiries email catherine@tivingtonfarmschool.com
Farm school curriculum activities
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Contact Us
Better yet, see us in person!
There is no better way to understand how we can assist you with our alternative provision for children than by visiting us at Tivington Farm, where we focus on engagement through agriculture and a unique farm school curriculum.
Tivington Farm
Tivington
Minehead
Somerset
TA24 8SU
Please email admin@tivingtonfarmschool.com to arrange a visit.
