Meet Clover: A Much-Loved Member of the Acacia Community

For more than a decade, there has been one very special member of the Acacia School community who has made herself at home across the school grounds – and she has four legs, a curly tail and a particular love of cuddles.

Now 13 years old, Clover has been part of life at Acacia since she was a piglet. She arrived at the farm alongside her two sisters and, as the runt of the litter, she was always the smallest of the three. Her sisters weren’t particularly kind to her, and the three of them lived together at the farm for many years before Clover eventually became the only one left.

Nick, Acacia’s Livestock Coordinator, believes that those early experiences may be part of the reason Clover has always preferred the company of people. Once her sisters had passed away, Clover became increasingly interested in the humans around her – and she has been thriving on the farm ever since.

And while she might be stubborn, Clover is also incredibly affectionate. She loves a cuddle, enjoys being around people and has been described as being “like a dog” because of how much she enjoys human company.

She also has quite the personality.

Clover loves her food, knows exactly what she wants and isn’t afraid to make it known. She’s been trained to sit and give her hoof, and she’s even developed a reputation for “flirting with the builders” whenever there’s work going on around the site.

But perhaps one of the sweetest things about Clover is how much she remembers the people she cares about.

When a member of staff returns from holiday, Clover will often make a beeline for them and stick close by – sometimes making it very clear that she’d rather have their attention than share them with anyone else!

Her presence has become woven into everyday life at Acacia. She might be found grazing in the field, or simply looking for someone to give her some attention.

And that’s part of what makes Clover so special.

At Acacia, animals are much more than simply part of the farm. They are part of the environment in which young people learn, develop and build confidence. Time spent caring for and interacting with animals can create opportunities to develop social and life skills, practise communication and boundaries, build confidence and take part in meaningful, hands-on activities.

Clover has been part of that story for many years – and now, she’s helping to inspire a new chapter.

As we look ahead to the opening of new provision at Acacia, we’re celebrating Clover and the important place she holds within the school community.

And there’s something new coming to Acacia that will carry her name…

Watch this space to find out more about Clover Farm.