Despite huge interest from organisations and businesses within the food and farming sector, the decision has been taken to postpone the Fun, Food and Farming Festival until 2011.

The number of school bookings has been significantly lower than anticipated and it was felt that it would be unfair to exhibitors to continue with the event.

Feedback from schools is that the introduction of the “Rarely Cover” policy has impacted on their ability to arrange visits. The move was introduced in September to ease teachers’ workloads. Heads are supposed to pay for supply teachers instead of ordering existing staff members to step in when colleagues are leading trips. However, many schools are simply cancelling outings altogether instead of raiding stretched budgets to pay for supply staff.

This policy is having a profound effect on all school visits to the extent that it has been raised at a Commons Select Committee meeting.

The decision to postpone will allow us to work with schools to ensure they have the opportunity to plan the event into their curriculum in ways that overcome the current problems.