Lineham Farm Children's Centre

Lineham Farm Children’s Centre is situated in Eccup near Alwoodley in Leeds and offers a range of outdoor and adventurous activities, which we are confident the children will love.

The centre runs specially designed courses for primary schools with safety as the highest priority.  The three-day stay involves a range of different activities that we choose from.  The activities Year 4 will be doing are: indoor climbing wall, indoor bouldering wall,  Jacob's ladder, mountain biking, Lineham explorers which includes animal care and bushcraft all of which are run by Lineham Farm staff.  Activity based residentials are brilliant for building both resilience and confidence as well as developing teamwork skills.  The children will be encouraged (but never forced) to overcome fears and challenges so the sense of achievement they often feel is enormous.

Cost and Payment Options for Lineham Farm

We are aware that the cost of the residential is significant at £159 but we believe it is great value for money as provides the children with a wonderful opportunity to experience outdoor and adventurous activities in a safe and fun environment.  All children eligible for Pupil Premium funding receive a 50% discount.

We always aim to give parents and carers a year to pay and we are very flexible about when the payments are made.  We can create a payment plan to suit each family so the cost becomes manageable.  Payments can be made monthly, quarterly, a one off payment or in any other way that suits you using ParentPay. We hold a parents meeting prior to the trip taking place.

Frequently asked questions about Lineham Farm

Below we have put together answers to the questions we are frequently asked by parents about the residential to Lineham Farm.  We hope you find the information useful.  If you have any further questions that have not been answered here, please feel free to contact the Year 4 teachers, who will be happy to help with any queries.

What food do the children get at meal times? 

A couple of weeks before we go to Lineham Farm, each class will look through the options for lunch and dinner.  Each class votes for the meals they would like and the meals with the highest number of votes are chosen.  This menu choices are then shared with parents.  If parents feel their child may struggle with the food choices on offer, they need to get in touch.

Breakfast - the children can have toast and cereals.

Lunchtime - lunch may be a jacket potato with various fillings, a pizza or a chicken burger with chips. 

Evening Meal – the children get a hot cooked evening meal such as pasta Bolognese,  chicken roast dinner, sausage and mash etc. and it is always followed by a tasty dessert such as a chocolate brownie with ice-cream or sticky toffee pudding.

Bedtime - Before bedtime the children enjoy a cup of hot chocolate and a biscuit.

The portions are plentiful and children can have seconds if they want it, so they definetly will not go hungry!

My child requires a special diet, can this be accommodated for?

Yes, based on our previous experiences, Lineham Farm are fantastic at ensuring that any special diets or specific requirements can be catered for as long as they are notified in advance.  If any parents have any concerns or just want a chat about any special diet requirements, please contact the Year 4 teachers.

How are the children supervised outside of activity times?

Children attending Lineham Farm are supervised by Farsley Springbank staff outside activity times.  The children enjoy lots of time back in the centre before and after activity times, where they spend times with friends in the games room and lounge area.  This is all supervised by school staff. 

How are the children supervised at night time?

Farsley Springbank staff supervise the children going to bed and over night.  Staff will stay awake until all the children asleep.  The bedrooms for our school staff are located on each floor so they are hand to help and support if needed. 

How are the sleeping arrangements organised?

Children sleep in dormitories with all bedding provided and toilet facilities close by.  Before we go to Lineham Farm, the children will be allocated the dormitory they are going to be sleeping in.  We always let the children choose who they share a room with.  We know that some children may feel nervous about being away from home and so sharing a room with friends can help they feel more comfortable.

Do the children have showers whilst they are away?

Yes they do!  The children shower on day 2.  Some children ask to shower on other days, which they are able to do if they want to.

Can the children take a mobile phone with them and call home whilst they are away?

No we don’t allow the children to bring their mobile phone with them or call home whilst they away.  There are exceptional circumstances when we have allowed a child to phone home but this is not the norm and would have been pre-arranged with school staff (E.g. once a parent was having an operation whilst we were away so the child did phone home to check their parent was ok).  The main reason we do not children to call home is that if they hear their parent’s voice, they are likely to get upset or feel homesick whereas if they don’t speak to their parents, they are fine!  Parents will have a school mobile number to contact if necessary and if there was an emergency school staff would always contact parents.

How is security managed at Lineham Farm?

All adult visitors to Lineham Farm have to sign in as part of their safeguarding procedures.  At night-time, the main doors are locked by Springbank staff and checks are make to ensure the building is secure. Emergency exits are available at all times. There gates at the driveway entrance are also locked for site security.

Will my child be forced to do an activity that they do not want to do?

Being challenged and overcoming fears is all part of the Lineham Farm experience but no child will be forced to do an activity that they do not want to do.  Some children get nervous or a bit scared when faced with activities and school staff will encourage them to have a go. Pleased be assured that whilst encouragement and support are all part of the process, no child would be forced to do something they really don't want to do.

Activities at Lineham Farm

The children have the opportunity to take part in several organised activities that are run by Lineham Farm's staff and as well as enjoy time playing games in the evenings.

Bushcraft

The bushcraft session provides the children with an amazing opportunity to use the woodland area surrounding Lineham Farm to learn about surviving in the outdoors.  The children experience building and lighting a fire, building a shelter and even cooking over the camp fire.  

Lineham Farm Explorers

Lineham Farm is unique as it offers the children the chance to experience looking after and being with a number of different animals they have at their farm.  The children combine this with a woodland walk around the area which includes walking up a shallow stream, climbing over and under natural resources and just enjoying the great outdoors. 

Climbing

Lineham Farm has an amazing barn which houses a huge climbing wall that has eight separate pitches of varying grades to suit all abilities and needs.  There is also Jacob's Ladder which challenges children to climb to the top and stand up...not easy but great fun!

Mountain Biking

Night walk

On the first evening the children go out on a night walk led by Lineham Farm staff.  They explore the area around Lineham Farm so it is handy to have a torch.  If it is a clear night sky, it is amazing how many stars you can see as there is very little light pollution.  It is an exciting way to end of the first day.

Games Room

There is a fantastic games room at Lineham Farm where the children have time to relax and enjoy in the evening.  There is plenty to do...table tennis table, table football, giant jenga, a piano and lego but if they fancy doing something quieter they can draw and chill out in the lounge. 

Settling down at the end of the day

At the end of each busy day, the children come together to reflect on their achievements and challenges faced whilst enjoying a hot chocolate.