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Countryside Educational Visits Accreditation Scheme

Over 2,400 farmers and farm educators have undergone CEVAS, an accredited training programme for anyone wanting to provide education or therapeutic (care farming) experiences on a farm or countryside location. CEVAS-trained farmers welcome ½ million school children onto farm every year. A nationally recognised accreditation, the scheme offers training for individuals who are working – or plan to work – with groups of school children, young people or clients with additional needs.

What is CEVAS?

CEVAS (the Countryside Educational Visits Accreditation Scheme) involves two days’ attendance at a farm or countryside location where you will learn about the practicalities involved in hosting visits, how food and farming can be incorporated into the school curriculum, and how to communicate effectively with both teachers and pupils. With the help of your tutor you will gather useful documents into a portfolio which is then submitted for accreditation. You will be helped every step of the way!

CEVAS includes an OCN Level 2 award and then CEVAS accreditation, developed with members of the Access to Farms partnership, is not only useful for personal development but is also recognised by a number of insurers, schools and local authorities as a mark of good practice. It is usually heavily discounted thanks to sponsorship and donations.

Training is coordinated and delivered by the Access to Farms partnership and accredited by Credit4Learning, part of the Open College Network (OCN). CEVAS-accredited farmers are also entitled to display the trained personnel logo in recognition of their learning and preparation for high-quality visits and farm experiences.