Countryside Learning
Supporting countryside learning and agricultural education is central to our mission at the South of England Society.
As well as supporting the learning and growth of those studying agricultural practices at land-based colleges, we also run a number of initiatives to encourage children to develop an interest in the countryside industries.
Discover our educational and countryside learning programmes.
Jim Green Challenge
This popular competition has been held annually each spring since 1999. The series of fun and educational challenges are designed for students with additional learning needs attending land-based colleges and further education centres.
Find out more
Loan-a-Lamb
Our Loan-a-Lamb scheme provides local primary schools with the opportunity to care for a ewe and her lambs for a week, with all the training, kit and information provided.
Find out more
Partner Events
We work with charities Countryside Learning and The Country Trust that arrange estate days and farm visits for school children in our region.
Find out more
School Visits
We encourage schools and colleges across the South East to attend the South of England Show and visit our ‘The Countryside Hub’ within the Discover the Countryside area.
Schools' Competition
The Schools’ Competition is free to enter and open to KS1, KS2 and KS3 groups. Entries will be displayed during the South of England Show within ‘The Countryside Hub.’
Membership
If you enjoy attending our shows, find out more about Membership. You can attend each day of our four seasonal shows, access Members’ areas including parking, and you will be helping us to continue our work to fund and support agricultural education and countryside learning.
Read our reviews
Here are some of the things people are saying about us.
Great fun! Music from the Casablanca Steps, Shetland Pony Grand National, lots of nice farm beasts. More good shops than last year. A few more plants & poultry would be good.
Clare Salmon
This year was bigger and better than I have experienced in other years. Great mix of content across the stalls and show elements.
Zoe Randall
SofE show great to see it back and they didn’t disappointed 3 fantastic days.
Ian Truman
A great family day out, lots to see (farm animals, horses and dogs) and buy (plants, clothing and a huge variety of produce).
Carolyn Waters
Good to see the south of England Show back. A great day out, shows, animals, and plenty of stalls.
Dog friendly & some tasty snack / food to be had. Terrific venue.
Peter Langbridge
Easy parking which was free. Entrance price very good. Sellers did not mark prices too high. Huge varieties, from babies, children, adults and a good variety for animals. Cash and card available. A lovely Christmas atmosphere was created.
Julie Fairfowl
Charity of the Year
Find out more about our current Charity of the Year, Veterans’ Growth: