Treloar’s royal patron The Countess of Wessex paid a visit to the Holybourne school and college to see its forest school and new staff accommodation.

She was greeted by the Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire, Nigel Atkinson, before meeting Treloar’s senior leadership team, head boy Logan and head girl Alex.

Next she spoke to supported internship students Emily, Luke, Harriet and Natalie. They are having a year of work experience to build their confidence and independence for life after Treloar’s.

Luke and Emily showed her to the forest school, where she met the team from Homes Estate Agents which funded it.

It gives the children a chance to play and learn outside the classroom, get inquisitive and forge a connection with and respect for nature.

There is a birdwatching hide, a mud kitchen and an area to get out of the wheelchair to lay down, all of which improve their wellbeing and teach them emotional and social skills.

The Countess was hosted by primary lead Katherine Paddington and watched the primary children take part in forest learning in the bird hide and mud kitchen.

She then saw Hope Court, a 42-bedroom block of single-storey affordable accommodation into which staff moved last month.

The accessible flats will allow more disabled staff to work at Treloar’s. The Countess met the architects and project manager and toured one of the flats.

Finally, The Countess met more students and council representatives in Pike Hall, where she viewed tributes to the Queen created by students and received a posy from reception pupil Aurelia.