STUDENTS at a school in Basingstoke got to get their hands on part of the circle of life, courtesy of a local housebuilder.

Pupils from South View Infant and Nursery School were given an egg hatching experience from housebuilder Barratt Homes.

The egg hatching experience lasted 10 days and began with several pre-incubated eggs arriving at the school. The children from the school were able to view the eggs and watch as the chicks hatched. After hatching, the chicks were moved to a brooding cage to keep them warm and safe. All pupils involved had the opportunity to hold the chicks and were educated on the egg hatching process.

Sheila Pape, executive headteacher at South View Federation, said: “Our egg hatching experience was truly amazing, and all of the children loved it.

“This was an excellent opportunity to teach the children about the life cycle of a chick and educate them on a wide range of subjects, such as science and numeracy, as well as the different needs that animals have.

“We would like to thank Barratt Homes for the generous donation.”

Lynnette St-Quintin, sales and marketing director for Barratt Homes Southern Counties, added: “As a sustainable housebuilder, we are committed to preserving nature and wildlife, and aim to provide relevant educational opportunities wherever possible.

“Our egg hatching experience uses ethically sourced providers, so after the eggs hatch, the chicks are collected and then live on a farm or are rehomed with hobby chicken keepers. This is an invaluable opportunity that educates children in an interactive way and we hope that they remember the lessons they have learned for a long time.”