Our Offer
At Birds and Bees, we provide a supportive, hands-on learning environment for young people for whom the traditional day-to-day secondary school curriculum is a challenge. Our approach is rooted in practical experience, personal development, and connection to the natural world in a fully insured, small, safe and carefully managed farm setting.
Students have the opportunity to care for farm animals and learn how to grow their own fruit and vegetables using ‘no dig’ methods. Our curriculum is designed to build responsibility, confidence, and a sense of achievement. Through these activities, they develop a deeper understanding of the environment and learn how to care for it.
We place strong emphasis on supporting Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH), helping young people build resilience, self-awareness, and positive coping strategies. Our calm, smartphone-free setting allows students to fully engage with their surroundings, form genuine connections, and focus on their personal growth.
By stepping away from traditional classroom pressures, students are encouraged to explore their potential, gain practical skills, and develop knowledge that supports healthier lifestyle choices at a formative stage in their lives.
Our Programme: Secondary KS3 - KS4
At Birds and Bees Alternative Provision we offer secondary school students a part time curriculum for one day (5 hours) or two days (10 hours) per week. Our unique curriculum is designed to support and enrich the work students carry out in their normal day to day school setting.
Our curriculum is fully flexible to meet the individual needs of students and schools. Our curriculum overview for 2026-27 is linked here. Birds and Bees is an approved ASDAN centre and students gain accreditation for their work by gaining up to 6 credits on the ASDAN Short Course Gardening Programme.
Below is an outline of a typical school day:
09:30 - 09:45
Registration
09:45 - 10:45
Lesson 1 - Caring for our farm animals
10:45 - 11:00
Break
11:00 - 12:00
Lesson 2 - ASDAN Challenge
12:00 - 12:45
Lunch preparation and outdoor cooking
12:45 - 13:45
Lesson 3 - ASDAN Challenge
13:45 - 14:15
Afternoon feed for farm animals and packdown
14:15 - 14:30
Reflection and dismissal
About Me - Graham Gerrard, BSc. Hons, PGCE
With 34 years of experience in education, I have dedicated my career to supporting young people to achieve their potential. As a science teacher working across a number of secondary schools on the Fylde Coast, I developed a deep understanding of how students learn and the challenges many face within a traditional school environment.
In my final role, I served as a senior leader in an all-through school in Blackpool, working with children and young people aged 3–16. I was responsible for leading teaching and learning across the school, supporting staff development and ensuring that every student had access to high-quality education.
In 2024, I retired from mainstream education to establish Birds and Bees Alternative Provision. This step was driven by a desire to create something different; an environment where young people who may struggle in conventional settings can thrive through hands-on, meaningful experiences.
I graduated from Birmingham University in 1988 with an honours degree in Zoology and Comparative Physiology. I have a lifelong passion for wildlife and the natural world, which sits at the heart of Birds and Bees. By combining this passion with my experience in education, I aim to provide opportunities that not only build knowledge and skills, but also improve wellbeing and create better life chances for young people in our local community.