Gifford Primary Prepares to Open its New Farm
Northolt school will host goats, alpacas for hands-on learning
The alpacas are likely to be particularly popular with the children. Picture: Gifford Primary School
October 21, 2026
Gifford Primary School in Northolt is preparing to welcome an unusual but very charming addition to school life: a fully fledged school farm. Goats, alpacas and sheep will soon become part of the daily rhythm for pupils, as the school gets ready for the official opening on Friday 27 November.
The new farm sits beside Northala Fields and has been designed as a space where children can learn through direct experience. Alongside the larger animals, the farm will also be home to chickens, rabbits and guinea pigs, creating a diverse environment where pupils can develop empathy, responsibility and confidence through animal care.
For a generation growing up in London, the school hopes the farm will bring nature closer to everyday life. Staff say the aim is to create memorable learning experiences that go far beyond the classroom, giving children the chance to understand how animals live, behave and depend on human care.
Local vet and conservationist Sean McCormack, known to many as That Vet Sean, will join the school as the special guest to officially open the farm.
While the farm will initially serve Gifford’s own pupils, the school has a longer-term vision to turn it into a borough-wide educational resource. The hope is that schools across Ealing will be able to visit, giving children from all backgrounds the chance to experience hands-on animal care and outdoor learning.
Located at Greenhill Gardens, Northolt UB5 6BU, and just steps from the sweeping mounds of Northala Fields, the farm is set to become a distinctive new feature of the local landscape.
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