An award winning farm project that was founded in a Croydon school field is set to be visited by hundreds of local pupils.

Hundreds of young people have got places on a successful self-development programme thanks to governors of the former Haling Manor School.

Jamie Fielden, who used to teach at Haling Manor, had the idea for ‘Jamie’s Farm’ when he noticed an improvement in pupils’ behaviour when they looked after the sheep he brought into the school.

The teacher then went on to transform his family’s farm into a charitable centre for educational development.

After Haling Manor got academy status, the school’s governors invested £200,000 into the project.

The money will provide initial subsidised places for any school in the borough to send children for a week’s experience of life on the farm.

Councillor Tim Pollard, cabinet member for children, families and learning, said: "This is a great way of improving young people’s attitudes to society and their relationships with others.

“It’s fantastic that we’ve been able to use the school's money and put it into a project that was born in Croydon. I’m sure that many of our young people will benefit enormously from the experience we will be able to offer them."

Schools wanting to get involved in the project can contact Lisa Fenaroli on 020 8726 7389 or email lisa.fenaroli@croydon.gov.uk.