The chicks are in…

We have chicks in school, cute little fluffy birds and I have to be honest, I could never have imagined that these tiny golden balls of feathers could make such a huge impact.

There was some trepidation before we made the decision to bring them into school: how would our young people take to them? What if they were triggering? What if this went horribly wrong…

The living eggs were placed in an incubator in the classroom. Over the next few days, we all watched and waited.

And then the magic happened. As the eggs started to crack, the young people gathered around, mesmerised by what was happening. A young chick pecked its way out of the hard egg and flopped out in front of them. It was life being born in front of them.  Within a few days, the young people could hold them, and then the real magic happened for me.

I walked into the classroom from my office and saw the young people around the table, sitting completely still. On closer inspection, I noticed that each one was cradling a baby chick in their palms. In that moment, gone was the trauma, the anxiety, the ever-present simmering suffering, and whilst the chicks slept in their hands, they just all looked content…and still.

But sometimes you have to put the what-ifs aside, and so we asked the young people in our school assembly about our possible addition to the community. Their excitement was delightful but they asked some important questions: what if one of them dies? What if one of them was sick?

What if…

It was those what-ifs again, so the question was, what if we took a risk and brought chicks into our school?

They arrived on Monday in an egg box (!). The living eggs were placed in the classroom and almost instantly our young people were taken by them. There was plenty of egg chat and plenty of opportunity for us all to brush up on our science. Incidentally, this was also the main topic of conversation in our staff meeting, where we learnt about the difference between a fertilised and non-fertilised egg, only to be asked completely different questions the next day about what would happen to the chicks once they were returned to the farm.

This is why the cultural capital experiences we bring to our young people are so meaningful. We can’t for obvious reasons take them out of the hospital, but we are strong believers in bringing rich experiences to them. Without a doubt, the baby chicks have been a valuable educational and personal development experience.

And now we’re having discussions about what animal we should have next. I don’t know what could be as magical as watching the eggs hatch and then holding the chicks in class.

Westwood Primary

‘This has been an amazing experience for our school. Thank you for providing this service. It has not only brought our whole school community together, it has generated many discussions both in school & for our families at home.’

Hollyfield School

‘Beneficial with Understanding the World for EYFS and we got brilliant writing from the children as they were so interested.’

St John CE School

’The whole experience stimulated interest and fed into all areas of the Curriculum.’

Greenfield Primary

‘The children loved it! Super Science & writing achieved.’

Woodlands Nursery

‘EYFS planning was very useful.’

Corpus Christi

’Children were engrossed in the whole programme’

St Anne’s

‘The whole school has had an incredibly beneficial experience.’

First Steps Nursery

‘Children were fascinated to see eggs hatch into chicks. They used lots of imagination, exploration and language’.

East Park

‘Lots of cross-curricular links (PSHE, writing etc and part of the Life Cycle topic.’

St Peter’s

‘Accessible to whole school who were all engaged and motivated’

Holly Spring Infant school.

We have had the chicks for a few years running now and completely love the wonderful experience and think the company is fab!

Special Needs PRU Feedback

‘All pupils at the Centre were involved – brought out the softer side of our more troubled pupils’  

Cherry Trees

’The children loved having the chicks and as our pupils are in the Centre for various physical and mental health needs, it was wonderful to see their interaction with the chicks.’

Brookvale School

‘Children’s education literally coming to life’

St Martins

‘Brilliant! We made a film about the life cycle.’

West Heath School

‘Great educational tool. Children were really engaged.’

St Thomas

‘Lots of super resources which we have used. The children have been thoroughly engrossed with the chicks. Watching them hatch was priceless! Absolutely brilliant experience!’

Colebourne Primary

The Living Eggs Programme is ‘one of the 50 things our pupils need to do before they leave.’

Little Scholars

‘Absolutely fantastic and can’t wait to do it again next year.’

Castle Business and Enterprise College

The Living Eggs Programme ‘is an amazing visual aid and that the children were very engaged in the Life Cycle process. For some it was the first understanding of where chicks come from!’

First Steps Nursery

‘Real-life experience rather than book/video  –  more memorable!’

All Saints

‘Brilliant! All children were engaged. It was emotionally and academically a success’  ‘We have had a truly amazing time, thank you for the opportunity.’

All Saints

‘The whole school benefited, great talking, learning, care & respect, super PSE… Brilliant, love it!’

Sunshine School

’Very efficient booking and delivery services. The Programme supported our life cycle topic and gave pupils and staff a wonderful experience.’

Solihull School

‘Fabulous! We had over 20,000 hits on our live webcam which was shown over 14 days’

The Wendy House

‘Children not used to animals got the chance to boost their confidence. Posters werebrilliant for staff and children.’

St Chad’s Primary

‘Seeing the eggs hatch is a fantastic opportunity and a well-loved tradition in our school. It promotes many areas of our EYFS curriculum. Thank you for another brilliant learning opportunity!’

– Ashcroft Infants

“Created ‘awe and wonder’ for children, particularly less able. Promoted good writing experience, especially for boys”

St Teresa’s Catholic Primary

‘The whole school became involved watching the progress on our school learning platform, video clips and regular visits.’ 

St Mary’s Primary

‘Children and Staff loved the Programme. Children were very enthusiastic about learning details of the life cycle of a chick. Very efficient and informative delivery.’

Holywell Primary School

‘The children loved the whole experience – just magical: Thank you.’

St Luke’s School

‘Wonderful inspiration for work.’

St George School

‘Always wonderful as the ‘Wow’ factor. It encourages children to talk and is a platform for much learning.’

St Phillips

‘Delivery was friendly and helpful. The Programme was easy and well planned with great information. It was absolutely fantastic. We had parents in each day as well! We put the chicks on a live link to our website each night. ‘Children across the school have been in awe of the programme’.

Our Lady’s School

‘Lovely Programme with all information needed provided. Children across the whole school enjoyed the experience with many learning opportunities.’

Carlton Primary

‘Wonderful for language development, Science, writing inspiration, caring for each others/animals…’

Willow Nursery

‘We have had Living Eggs for many years. The Programme is amazing. The children love the hands-on learning and it’s all very positive for Staff, children and parents. It helps settle new children. Thank youLiving Eggs!’

Ofsted

’Helps support the Creative Curriculum’ & ‘A wonderful stimulus for work across the Curriculum’

The Meads Primary

‘It was well organised and handed over professionally. The children gained an experience they have not been part of before. The PowerPoints were great, as were the Life Cycle popouts. We will definitely be using the Programme again next year.’

Holy Trinity

‘The Nursery children, their parents, staff and children from upper school enjoyed the excitement and experience of watching the eggs hatch and observing the growth of chicks over the 2 weeks.’

St Anne’s

‘ Very pleased once again and will be rebooking for next year. It’s been an incredible experience throughout the school, as used live streaming to watch the hatching.’

Alumwell

‘Lots of ‘Wow’ moments – used to reinforce life cycle, animals and their young.’

KES.org

‘Gave an insight into the reproductive cycle of animals & increased enthusiasm for this area of Science leading to a higher quality of questioning.’

St Joseph’s Primary

‘Very easy Programme and good instructions’

St Francis School

‘Excitement and motivation enhanced Science, Writing, Maths, Creativity and Observation Skills’

The Oaks

‘Very beneficial in terms of well-being, self-esteem, caring for a living creature’

Windmill Children’s Centre

‘Lots of children came to see the chicks. Parents appreciated the opportunity to give their children a new experience. All very interested and asked a lot of questions’.

Montgomery School

‘Children very engaged in linked writing – instructions on how to take care of chicks.’

Building Blocks Nursery

’It was beneficial to the children’s learning as they learnt about lifecycles and focused on the experience with a range of activities over the two weeks.’

St Francis School

‘Fantastic experience for pupils. Lots of learning opportunities and links to Curriculum’.

Bushbury Nursery

‘Supported and enhanced delivery of Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum.’

Arley Primary School

‘Children were fascinated & it inspired lots to want to write.’

The Wendy House

‘Booking and delivery services were excellent as always.’

St Thomas

‘Helps support our Creative Curriculum.’ 

St Luke’s School

‘Unique experience to see eggs hatching. Wonderful inspiration for work.’

St Anne’s

‘Perfect for Primary-aged children – from the Nursery upwards. Even the local Community is often involved’.

– Orchard Centre

“All Pupils at the Centre were involved – brought out the softer side of our more troubled pupils”

St Chad’s

‘Supported all of our EYFS Curriculum.’

The Royal School for the Blind

It’s been wonderful as always and the experience engages both the children and staff (especially the staff)!!!

Ashcroft

‘Created ‘awe and wonder’ for children, particularly less able. Promoted good writing experience, especially for boys’

Little Acorns

‘A very enjoyable and educational resource – the children were enthralled, Engaging older Children and Raising the Profile of Science Within The School’

St Cuthbert’s

’Provided opportunities for Cross-Curricular work.’ 

St Albans School

‘Created ‘awe and wonder’ among school community.’

St Peter’s Primary Academy

‘Whole school interest & community involvement.Lots of language from children with speech and language difficulties’

– The Pines School

“ Lots of language from children with speech and language difficulties”

Westgate School

‘Has brought the whole school community together. All ages have identified with the whole Programme – adults, parents, children, siblings, nursery…Perfect!

– Kingston Centre

“In our setting the nurturing is invaluable”

Highfield School

’Very educational, created lots of awe and wonder as well as good questions.’

Somerville Primary

‘Great real-life experience – memories for life.’

Stony Dean School

‘We usually have Living Eggs every year. Beneficial for children’s language development and talking about changes observed with the chicks. It fits in well with ‘Understanding and Knowledge of the World. In our setting the nurturing is invaluable.Engaged the children in learning and also engaged some of our ‘hard to reach ‘ families and brought…

Southgate PreSchool

‘Amazing to watch! Very educational for the children & staff.’

All Saints C of E Primary

‘Fantastic hands-on, first hand Experience for the whole school’

Mapledene School

‘Great learning experience for all the children which created great use of language, understanding of the world & number work & writing.’

Little Scholars

‘Absolutely fantastic and can’t wait to do it again next year.’

Secret Lives of 4-Year-Olds, Channel 4

Putting these eggs in a classroom is a splendid way to stimulate discussion about life.” Professor Paul Howard-Jones, Educational Neuroscientist, University of Bristol.

Ark School

‘Adds value to the Curriculum & experiential learning.’

Green Meadow Primary

‘The Programme inspired children’s writing and improved their knowledge and understanding of life cycles and how to care for and look after animals.’

Ravensdale School

‘Having the chicks helps the children to open up and talk excitedly about what they see (even the quiet ones)’.

St Mary’s Primary

‘Reception class and the rest of the school were all keen to be involved’

St Bernadette’s Primary

‘I would like to thank you for our amazing chick experience. The whole process has been very professional and incredibly enjoyable’.

Abbey Primary

‘The Programme was incredibly beneficial. It is very well put together/resourced and the whole school loved having the chicks’

Featherstone School

‘Children throughout the school were enthralled by the whole process of hatching chicks as we set up a webcam the incubator. The reception class loved the caring for living things side of the experience. I have always been impressed by the way the Programme is set up.’

Park Hill

‘Links to IPC topic ‘I’m Alive’ –  Good Introduction to living things and there are Links across Curriculum to develop Yr 1 target skills’.

St Cuthberts

‘Provided opportunities for cross curricular work from Nursery to Yr 6. Parents were also involved.’

St Paul’s Catholic Primary School

It’s a brilliant Programme. Our class loved the experience and we shared the experience with the rest of the school.

Lighthouse Nursery

‘Educational in terms of Life Cycles, but simply a very enjoyable experience and very useful to talk about caring and nutritional needs’.

Nursery

Great excitement fills the nursery as chicks have hatched in the incubator. Children bring their parents along to check on the chicks’ progress, sharing their joy in witnessing this truly magical experience.

Seedlings Nursery

‘Really exciting & good learning opportunities for the children.’

Maple School

‘The whole school, children, teachers & parents loved having the chicks in school.’

Grove School

‘The Programme impacted on the children’s speech development & awareness of the wider world.’