At Lufton College, our animals play an important role in student learning and wellbeing. Each animal is well cared for and valued as part of our college community.
Donkeys
We are home to three much-loved donkeys who share a very strong bond and do not like to be separated. They originally came from another Cambian school in the north of England. One of our donkeys, Sheamus, is a retired Blackpool beach donkey, while the other two are mother and son, Tilly and Star. All three are extremely friendly and enjoy gentle walks around the college site.
Ferrets
We have two lively ferrets named Ace and Maverick. They are curious, playful characters and are always popular with students.
Rare Breed Livestock
We are proud to care for a number of rare breed animals at Lufton College. Our flock includes 10 sheep, 9 of which are rare breeds:
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Three Jacob sheep
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Four Welsh Mountain sheep
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Two Kerry Hill sheep
We also have two Golden Guernsey goats, a rare breed, named Toothless and Fang. Alongside them are four pygmy goats and an Anglo-Nubian cross goat called Boris, who particularly enjoys plenty of attention and a good fuss from the students.
Parrots
One of our parrots, Ozzy, is a rescued Patagonian Conure. After living on his own for a long time, he now shares his space happily with three companions: two Ring-necked Parakeets called Pickle and Beans, and a Red-headed Conure named Harry.
Degus
We have two degus called Pip and Squeek. These small, social animals are fascinating to observe and are well loved by both staff and students.
George the Farm Cat
George is our resident farm cat. He was rescued from the RSPCA in Bournemouth and now enjoys life as an outdoor cat at Lufton College. George is a calm and friendly presence around the site and has settled beautifully into his special home.
Alpacas
We are also home to three alpacas, Tom, Jerry and Graham. Students are actively involved in their daily care.
Find out more about or Alpacas here.
Birds
We also have small birds such as finches, canaries and diamond doves alongside the parrots, helping students build confidence and develop calm, positive interactions with birds.
Lambs
We are delighted to announce the arrival of our first lambs from our resident ewes. It has been an incredibly exciting time for both staff and students as we welcome these new additions to the farm.
For our students, this is far more than simply a “cute” moment – it is a valuable hands-on learning opportunity. From carefully monitoring the ewes during lambing to supporting essential aftercare, students are gaining real-world experience in animal husbandry, welfare, and responsible farming practices.
Beyond the learning opportunities, we are proud to support the natural life cycle of our animals. Allowing our resident ewes to reproduce and nurture their young is one of the most natural forms of enrichment possible, promoting positive welfare and encouraging natural behaviours.
Pigs
Pigs are always a huge favourite among both students and staff, and our latest arrivals are no exception.
Our Oxford Sandy and Black pigs are a rare and at-risk native breed, making them a fantastic addition to our growing collection of animals. Their presence not only provides valuable hands-on learning experiences for students but also helps raise awareness of rare breed conservation and the importance of protecting traditional livestock breeds.
Working with these animals allows students to develop practical skills in animal care, husbandry, and welfare while building confidence and responsibility through meaningful, real-world experiences.
