Minister for Schools David Laws took the bull by the horns last week with a visit to Jamie’s Farm in Box to see how it helps inner-city schoolchildren from difficult backgrounds.

Mr Laws was introduced to bull Romany Lustful and two-week-old piglets before he was given a tour around the farm to talk about the work the charity does.

As Minister for Schools, Mr Laws, who is also Liberal Democrat MP for Yeovil, is in charge of narrowing the gap between youngsters from poorer backgrounds and those from more affluent homes.

Jamie’s Farm is one of the initiatives which works with schools receiving additional Pupil Premium funding from the Government.

The farm sees about 500 children a year come from areas such as Bristol and London and stay for a week at a time.

City life is swapped for rural living and mobile phones are exchanged for pitchforks as the children undertake farming, gardening, cooking and log chopping.

Mr Laws said: “Visiting the farm I have seen first-hand the impact it can have on the young people involved, allowing them to develop their skills and confidence, and encouraging them to achieve their full potential.”

Jamie’s Farm opened in 2009 and by 2020 they hope to have five sites.

Founder Jamie Feilden said: “The minister embraced the Jamie’s Farm culture, meeting the new bull, chatting to the children and enjoying a delicious home-cooked lunch.

“We hope he enjoyed seeing how his schools are supporting their vulnerable pupils to re-engage with education.”