Følgeforskning av Hommedal skolegård. Prosjektperiode 2020-2022. "En annerledes skoledag"

This accompanying evaluation has placed particular emphasis on highlighting the pupils’ experiences with an alternative educational programme at Hommedal farm school during the period 2020–2022. We find that Grimstad municipality, through the establishment of Hommedal farm school, has developed an effective offer for pupils who face additional challenges in mainstream school. The findings indicate that the majority of the pupils who attend one day a week are very satisfied; they look forward to this day, experience a sense of mastery, and make new friends. The parents are also satisfied, and several of them report positive changes in their child at home—for example, that the child is happier, talks more, has gained new interests and friends, and is generally more motivated. Although the findings are not uniform, several school staff members observe positive effects for their pupils both at the farm school and at their regular school on the other days. The programme at Hommedal farm school has worked well from day one, and the farm school has also succeeded in further developing the offer based on experiences from its first year of operation. Continuous development with solid user participation from pupils, parents, and collaborating schools will be essential going forward.