Students at one County Durham secondary school are set to hold a demonstration on British Farming Day to show their support for farmers across the country.

Pupils at Wolsingham School will swap school shoes for boots and wellies on November 19 for British Farming Day to show their support for the agricultural sector across the country.

The mastermind behind the demonstration is 15-year-old Jack Collins from Eastgate - who drummed up interest from across the school and managed to get over 100 of his fellow students on board.

Wolsingham School.Wolsingham School. The year 11 student, who is studying for his GCSEs, told The Northern Echo how he came up with the idea and how he hopes it will translate into more education about farming in school settings.

"We want to bring some recognition to farmers in our local area - there are so many where we are from. I want them to know that we, the younger generation, support them," Jack said.

"We do know that there are issues there including struggles that have come from the recent budget which will affect many across the whole country.

"They are so vital - anything we can do to help is really important."

As well as the students, Jack also has the backing of staff at Wolsingham School and has persuaded his headteacher to agree to more PSHE lessons on the importance of farming.

Jack added: "Personally, I'm not from a farming family but I do look around at the beautiful, rural area I live in and it's all run by farmers.

Jack Collins, 15.Jack Collins, 15. (Image: JACK COLLINS) "I speak to them and hear about the crisis we have going on. I thought, if I could make a stand, it could show our support.

"I spoke to teachers as I wanted to do it in a friendly way that doesn't disrupt school. So, that's when I came up with wearing our boots to school.

"It won't distract us from our learning."

Jack's demonstration comes weeks after Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced new taxes and measures which will hit assets owned by farmers.

Under plans announced in the Budget, inheritance tax will be charged at 20% on agricultural assets above £1 million, although Chancellor Rachel Reeves has said that in some cases the threshold could in practice be about £3 million.


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Following the announcement, a government spokesperson said: “This budget took the difficult decisions to fix the public services crumbling across the United Kingdom, including Scotland, and address the £22 billion fiscal black hole inherited from the previous government.

“With 40% of agricultural property relief going to the 7% of wealthiest claimants, we decided to ensure the relief is fiscally sustainable.

“Around 500 claims each year will be impacted and farm-owning couples can pass on up to £3 million without paying any inheritance tax – this is a fair and balanced approach.”