Des Alner is a qualified teacher (CRB cleared) and has been working in Dorset schools as Head of Art/Design and D/T for 30 years. As well as running courses at Higher Green Farm, Des also works in conjunction with local schools on various projects. A creative approach to many National Curriculum based topics such as Prehistory / Neolithic, Egyptians, Greeks, Africa, Rainforest and Tudors can be delivered. We have a wide range of resources to offer, including specialised techniques such as Egyptian paste, Shabti figures, Greek pottery, clay work, wood etc. related to specific periods.

School parties can visit us at the Farm for D&T and Art and Craft activities.

Recent projects include:

Stower Provost Primary School - Whole school Clay Project. Ceramic mural for front entrance. Totem poles in playground.

Cerne Abbas Primary School - Aborigine Day.

Ludwell Primary School - Arts Week, Broad Chalke Arts Week, Abbey Primary School, Shaftesbury - Breach Common Project. Paintings, Batik hanging, poems, Green Man sculpture, exhibition in Shaftesbury Arts Centre.

Wardour Primary - Apple Day. Printed banners, large hanging, procession, music, stories with Tim Laycock and Nick Crump.

Kingswood Prep School, Bath - 2007 International Day. Australia, Aboriginal art, printing, pebble painting, large banner.

Shillingstone Primary - last 6 years Art Week - pottery, whole school, masks, Terracotta Army, Green Secret Garden Plaque. 2012 - Tree made from recycled materials, 2013 - new School Hall Tree Mural and Ceramic Mural at front entrance (see photos)

Commission - School sculpture (Kestrel, see photo).

Cheselbourne Village School - Aboriginal Art Day. Batik, dream paintings, clay work and dot pictures.

St. Andrew's Primary, Fontmell Magna - many projects over last 10 years involving arts and crafts, music and dance. Native Americans, Aboriginal Art, water theme, Pottery Projects, Year 6 Mural. Now in its 3rd year with hands and names forming the tree (see photo) plus the Acorn - from little acorns grow mighty oaks.

Motcombe Primary School - Des organised the whole school Arts Week. Theme : Light. 100 children, mixed age groups, rotating around 10 activities - music, dance, pottery, batik, painting, poetry, mobiles, window art, science, hangings.

2014 - Ceramic Mural commissioned for the celebration of the175th year of the School.

Semley Village School - Arts Week. Theme : Our World. Multinational. Des provided pottery and batik workshops which 100 children rotated. Also two large banners for the hall and a celebrating procession with batik flags.

Commissions - Tile panel (see photo) to commemorate the opening of the School. Saxon Hut (see photo), Mermaids (see photo) winner of local fete scarecrow competition!

Broad Chalke Primary School - last four years - involved with their Arts Week; in 2012 'The Olympics'.

Shaftesbury Primary School - 2012 'The Olympics' including a Year 6 ceramic mural (see photo)

Abbey Primary School - Ceramic mural involving the whole school - 'The Tree of Life'

Pimperne Primary School - A mural celebrating the opening of their new school.

Okeford Fitzpaine Primary School - Batik banners for school hall.

School Visits - we have had a number of successful visits from schools, particularly Year 6 pupils, who have enjoyed a fresh learning experience at Higher Green Farm.

Des has recently finished making a statue from bronze resin signifying the spirit of the child holding the dove of peace for Broadchalke Primary School.