volunteers standing in a polytunnel giving a thumbs up sign

Yr Ardd and Ysgol Bro Teifi

Partnership with Ysgol Bro Teifi

Yr Ardd’s partnership with Ysgol Bro Teifi has become one of the most exciting and impactful developments in our work. What began as a small programme supporting a few pupils who would benefit from learning outside the mainstream classroom has grown into a two-day-a-week collaboration that reaches across the school community.

The school, which teaches pupils aged 3 to 19, has embraced the project. Teachers, pupils, support staff and governors have all recognised the benefits of hands-on, outdoor learning — and the partnership continues to strengthen every term.

Volunteers and students planting in Yr Ardd PolytunnelHow It Began

In Summer 2023, Yr Ardd welcomed groups of 7–8 secondary pupils, supported by three teachers, for weekly sessions involving:

  • weeding and watering
  • compost work
  • polytunnel care
  • general site maintenance

These pupils often found the mainstream curriculum challenging, but thrived in the calm, practical and outdoor environment of Yr Ardd. Some Sixth Form Welsh Baccalaureate students later chose to volunteer on site independently. There were early discussions about offering accredited land-based learning modules, similar to the Sustainable Horticulture course delivered by Tir Coed. While this remains a long-term goal, Yr Ardd hopes to become a delivery centre by Year 3 (2025–26).

 
Student fixing bird box to the shed.

A Major Development: Two-Day-a-Week Programme (Year 2)

By Autumn 2024, the partnership had expanded significantly. Yr Ardd now works with:

Wednesdays – Sessions at the School
Yr Ardd’s Project Manager and Lead Volunteer visit the school to support:

  • garden development
  • polytunnel growing
  • seedling propagation
  • site planning with staff

The school has big ambitions: planting an orchard, expanding flower beds, and creating new growing areas.


Students building a raised bed.Thursdays – Sessions at Yr Ardd
Students attended Yr Ardd Weekly to:

  • participate in infrastructure projects
  • build practical skills
  • work alongside volunteers
  • contribute to real improvements on site

Two of these pupils are using their Yr Ardd experience as part of their Welsh Baccalaureate project. The pupils enjoy the sessions so much that they are “keen to get down on site as soon as possible” every week.

Growing, Selling, Learning

Seedlings grown by Yr Ardd were supplied to the school’s polytunnel, where pupils grew:

  • winter salads
  • kale
  • brassicas

The harvest was then bagged and sold at the school, giving pupils real-life experience in:

  • food production
  • enterprise
  • teamwork
  • responsibility

This small but powerful enterprise has increased confidence and pride among pupils.

Different generations working together.

Intergenerational Benefits

The partnership also benefits Yr Ardd. Young people bring energy, enthusiasm and curiosity, while volunteers and older community members offer knowledge, experience and encouragement.
This intergenerational mix strengthens the community and supports the use of the Welsh language through natural, shared activities.

Building compost bins.Looking to 2026 and Beyond

Future plans include:

  • introducing more young people to gardening from an earlier age
  • reconnecting with cultural roots of self-sufficiency
  • skills like woodworking and metalwork
  • encouraging entrepreneurial projects
  • engaging pupils’ families with Yr Ardd activities

The ambition is for Yr Ardd to play a long-term role in supporting confident, skilled, resilient young people.

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Funded by CAVO, UK Government, Ceredigion County Council