Tom's Trust Supports

Nightingale Community Academy in Tooting is a School for boys aged 5 to 19 who have a statement of SEN or Educational Health and Care Plan for Social, Emotional or Mental Health difficulties. Staff at Nightingale Academy are skilled in dealing with students who have severe learning difficulties and excluded students with multiple problems.

The Principal at the time, Dr.J.Clark, had the idea to create a Farm on some wasteland within the school grounds, and approached Tom's Trust for additional financial support, which the Trust was happy to give. The farm was opened on 27th November 2009 and named “Tom's Farm” in memory of Tom ap Rhys Pryce. Animals currently looked after include kuni pigs, several sheep, Dexter cows, goats, rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets , ducks, hens and an aviary. Glass tanks in the farm classroom contain snakes, lizards, turtles and fish. Some beehives have also recently been added.

It has been proved that being with animals has a calming effect on children, particularly those with emotional problems. Animals are non-threatening and can sense what a child is feeling. By caring for these animals and looking after their needs, the pupils at Nightingale Academy will develop their sense of social responsibility and their empathy for other living things. In addition they will be able to take BTEC courses in Animal Husbandry and Farm Management in a purpose built classroom at the Farm. This will give them an opportunity to aim for a career in this field, should they wish to do so.