York House School celebrates another successful lambing season this spring

York House, a local independent prep school on the outskirts of Croxley Green, has been thrilled to welcome five new-born lambs into its onsite smallholding for a second successful year of lambing in the school’s grounds. For many of the school’s prep-aged pupils, it is the first time they have had the opportunity to get so close to a lamb, especially one that is just a few hours old.

All five of the ewe lambs are playful, happy and healthy and have been enjoying lots of interaction with their mothers and the other lambs, not to mention some very inquisitive visits from the pupils, who have been enthralled by their confident introduction into the world. Understanding the vulnerability of a baby animal and the role of its mother as protector has been something they will remember forever.

Smallholding Manager at York House, Tara Warren, commented: “The children have been so excited about our new arrivals. What surprised them the most was how quickly the lambs were walking and independently feeding from mum. Their confidence around the children has also been wonderful to witness. It has helped our pupils to understand the reasons why the lambs grow so quickly. The children in our nursery have also enjoyed visiting the lambs every week in their outdoor learning lessons with many of them asking wonderful questions such as how do the lambs know which sheep is their mum? What do the lambs eat? And how old are they?”

The school has also enjoyed naming all of the new additions: Blackcurrant, Bear, Rose, Toffee and Indigo and the York House smallholding club have been lucky enough to visit the lambs regularly, to learn all about their growth and progress.

“The children have really noticed how fast the lambs are growing and can see how quickly they are developing in confidence and trust, now that they willingly let the children touch and stroke them,” added Ms Warren.

The lambs will stay in the lambing paddock with their mothers until the end of summer. They also have access to the school’s wildlife paddock where they can enjoy running around in the long grass. Once they are old enough, they will eventually move into the valley paddock with their mothers, and they will live a long and happy life with the other ewes at York House.

Jon Gray, Headmaster at York House School, said: “We are thrilled to celebrate our second year of lambing at the school. To witness the miracle new life has to bring and to watch our pupils asking intelligent and thoughtful question on how to care for the lambs is fantastic. For our youngest children, they will see the lambs grow into adults and will be able to put the theory of the animal lifecycle into practice within their science lessons too.”