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For Teachers: Demonstration Schools.
What is a LEAF Demonstration School?
The LEAF Demonstration Schools programme helps schools make food, farming and sustainability a meaningful part of curriculum learning and wider school life.
The free, practical framework provides a clear pathway that builds on existing practice rather than introducing new initiatives.
Why have LEAF developed the Demonstration School framework?
The framework has been developed by LEAF Education Specialists - qualified teachers with extensive experience working with teachers, farmers and schoolchildren - to bring sustainability, food and farming to life, both in schools and on-farm.
From this work, we know that food, farming and sustainability are most meaningful when they connect with existing curriculum learning and real-world experiences to make established learning richer, more relevant and more memorable.
“Our LEAF partnership has moved sustainability from a bolt-on to something genuinely embedded across the curriculum.” – The Mountbatten School.
Your school’s journey
Every school starts with a Pledge. From there, schools can progress through Bronze, Silver and Gold at a pace that works for them.
As schools progress, learning becomes more connected, engagement deepens and confidence grows.
Each stage has a defined set of criteria focused on practice, learning and impact rather than the volume of activity. For Bronze, Silver and Gold there is a review at the end of the year to see if your school has achieved the stage. There is no requirement to move on each year. You can progress when the next stage feels right, or remain at your current stage while continuing to develop.
The Pledge is your starting point.
It can be completed at any time.
It can begin with one teacher and one class, although some schools choose to involve a wider group or the whole school.
It helps you recognise what is already happening and set a clear direction.
It is about establishing intent and does not require a sustained period of activity.
Ready to start your journey?
“This is our unique selling point as a school. Very proud of being a LEAF school.” – Eaton Valley Primary School.
Support from LEAF
Throughout the journey, LEAF supports schools through:
Professional Development.
“Staff confidence in teaching food, farming & sustainability has increased significantly” — Sir William Stanier School.
Curriculum Resources.
Guidance, lesson plans & supporting resources.
LEAF also manages Countryside Classroom, in partnership with organisations across the industry, a free resource hub.
Farm Experiences.
Virtual & In-person farm visits.
“Hold a lot of memories and value for the children, they still talk about farm visits now, these are the experiences they remember from school.” — Chancel Primary School.
LEAF Education Specialist Support
Our nationwide team of LEAF Education Specialists are qualified teachers who provide practical guidance and support throughout the Demonstration School journey. As schools progress, there are increasing opportunities to work directly with an Education Specialist, with more tailored support particularly at Silver and Gold.
What are the benefits?
Provides a practical framework to make sustainability part of everyday learning. The framework helps schools build food, farming and sustainability into existing curriculum learning and wider school life, supporting their sustainability priorities and Climate Action Plans.
Delivers memorable, experiential learning for pupils through topics that impact them every day: their food and how it’s produced. Demonstration Schools enrich curriculum learning through memorable experiences. Pupils get to connect with real people, places and practices, helping them understand food production, farming and sustainability.
Developed and supported by qualified teachers. The framework is developed and supported by LEAF Education Specialists, who are all qualified teachers providing trusted guidance and practical support as schools progress through the Demonstration School journey.
Flexible and accessible for every school. Schools can progress at a pace that works for them. The Pledge can begin with one teacher and one class or involve a wider group or the whole school.
Creates positive outcomes for staff and pupils. Schools benefit from increased staff confidence and expertise, while pupils show greater enthusiasm, wellbeing, curiosity and retained learning about food, farming and the environment.
“Pupils are receiving a higher-quality curriculum. Staff have developed expertise. Our school has a greater awareness of farming, environment and climate.” – St. Nicholas CE First School.
Why now?
Food, farming and sustainability are increasingly important areas of learning for young people, helping them make sense of issues such as climate change, biodiversity, and food security.
There is growing emphasis on giving pupils meaningful real-world experiences alongside and through curriculum learning. In England, the new DfE Enrichment Framework highlights opportunities linked to nature, the outdoors, climate education and sustainability, whilst Climate Action Plans have also become a requirement in schools.
The Demonstration School framework brings these things together. It gives schools a practical way to use food and farming to enrich existing learning, create memorable experiences and develop their sustainability work over time. Following a successful nationwide pilot, LEAF is now rolling out the refreshed framework more widely.