These notes are issued to teachers in advance of a visit to advise of the particular safety issues relating to a farm visit. Please ensure that they have been read and understood by all the adults in attendance with the group on the day of your visit to Wimpole Home Farm.

All animals naturally carry a range of micro-organisms, some of which can be transmitted to humans, which can cause ill health. Some infections, which may be contracted on farms, such as the verocytotoxin-producing bacterium Escherichia coli O157 (E coli 157), present a serious hazard and potentially cause serious disease.

While the hazard from infection resulting from a farm visit is real, the risks are readily controlled by familiar measures, which should be part of every day life. The following sensible steps will help make your visit safe, healthy and enjoyable.

If a member of the group shows signs of illness (e.g. sickness or diarrhoea) after a visit, advise them and their parent/guardian to visit the doctor and explain that they have had recent contact with farm animals.

Before your visit

• There should be one supervisor for every five children in your group. This is the ratio of free adult places that we permit.

• Discuss with the children the rules of the visit, including the points listed below.

• Check that cuts and grazes are covered with a waterproof dressing.

• Children should arrive in suitable footwear (e.g. Wellington boots or sturdy shoes), sandals are not suitable for farm visits.

• We recommend that children wear warm, comfortable clothing, which can be washed easily after the visit.

• Visitors with nut allergies are advised not to handle animal feed.

• Check whether any visitors have any other relevant allergies or medical conditions, which may be affected by the visit.

Hand washing

Please go through the following points with the children before your visit.

1. After touching animals.

2. Before eating or drinking

3. Before leaving the farm.

1. Wet your hands

2. Rub plenty of soap all over your hands and under your fingernails

3. Use running water to rinse thoroughly.

The following list of rules would make a good code of behaviour for a school visit.

We ask that you make these rules clear to all the children in your care and all accompanying adults before your visit:

• Do not kiss the animals.

• Wash your hands after contact with animals, before eating and before leaving the farm

• Eat only in the designated area, this is the picnic area outside the Farm restaurant and in the restaurant itself.

• Do not eat food that has fallen on the ground.

• Do not suck fingers, thumbs, pens, crayons etc.

• Do not taste the animal foods. If you have a nut allergy do not handle animal food.

• Clean footwear after the visit and remember to wash hands that have come into contact with dirty boots.

• Do not pick up tools or animals unless permitted to do so by farm staff.

• Do not climb on walls or into animal pens or onto farm machinery.

• Listen carefully and follow instructions given by farm staff.

• Approach and handle animals quietly and gently and do not chase or tease any animals.

• Pregnant women are advised not to handle sheep or lambs.

EDUCATION OFFICE
Telephone 01223 206004
Fax 01223 207838
education.wimpole@nationaltrust.org.uk