Ayrshire & Arran CI

RHET Ayrshire & Arran Countryside Initiative (AACI) works to support schools in the region with projects and topics on food, farming and countryside.

We are currently the leading provider of year-round risk-assessed farm visits throughout the area.  We have 13 host farms across the region who are able to provide tailored visits for both Primary and Secondary schools.  Last academic year AACI facilitated 31 farm visits and 68 classroom speaker talks across Ayrshire and Arran. 

In addition to Farm Visits, we have a network of trained Classroom Speakers who can deliver bespoke talks on a whole range of rural topics in schools.  We have also held teacher training days where primary and secondary teachers found out how RHET and AACI can provide resources and services to compliment classroom topics. 

Schools can order a range of  classroom resources direct from us. We have a hands-on nursery resource box and a number of interactive materials covering subjects such as meat production, farming across the seasons, standard grade Geography and a newly-developed Higher Biology online resource.

On top of all this, RHET AACI is involved with a number of regional and national  projects and competitions.

All our services are FREE to schools! 

NB: Limited funding is available to cover transport costs for Farm Visits.

Click here for a copy of the latest AACI Schools Newsletter

A message from Susan MacDonald, RHET AACI Co-ordinator (November 2009):

"Another academic year has already begun and I hope you all had a good summer and October holiday.  I am sure you are all starting to think about the "extras" that you wish to add to your curriculum for excellence this year and hope that RHET AACI can be of service to you.  During the year ahead RHET AACI are able to take the classroom to the countryside.  Some schools have already booked Farm Visits for the Autumn term to tie in with Harvest projects.  Others have requested farmer/classroom speakers to help children learn about where their food comes from.  I look forward to working with you in the year ahead."