WOODLEA Primary School, in Whitehill, was celebrating this week after 17 pupils were awarded the John Muir Trust Discovery Award.

John Muir is an environmental award scheme, and the children had to participate in four days, or the equivalent time, experiencing the outside world in four challenge areas.

They spent the year reaching these areas through the Woodlea Forest School programme, and activities included the creation of a wildflower meadow to encourage native species, sleeping under canvas, maintaining and creating habitat for wildlife, and presenting their experiences to the rest of the school.

“We are thrilled that these children have achieved this award but mostly we are overjoyed that they have enjoyed their time outdoors and discovered some more about the environment around them,” Forest School leader Julie Reid said.

The children are pictured in the pond area they worked on.