PUPILS of a Romsey primary school were treated to a trip to Brownsea Island to learn about the different types of habitats in the UK.

Deer, peacocks, peahens and a red squirrel were spotted by pupils of Romsey Abbey Church of England Primary School, Church Lane, during the learning experience.

Children also had the chance to combine the beach for natural materials to make a collage when they visited the island on April 30.

Mark Harris, year two teacher, said: “For some children it was their very first boat trip which made this a real adventure. We explored the different habitats on the island ranging from woodland to open fields and lagoon to beaches.

“Our Brownsea Island guide took us on a tour of the island to help us discover more about past and present life on the island and the children were very excite trying to find where the missing Brownsea Bear was hiding.”

He added: “It was an amazing day. The children were captivated by the island; they knew they were somewhere really special. There was a magical silence when we discovered a couple of deer close by in the woodland.

“I was delighted when, for the first time in many visits, I spotted a red squirrel darting between trees - a first of the children who are used to seeing grey squirrels.”

The headteacher, Julis-Anne Palfrey, said: “This visit is a great outdoor leaning experience for the pupils. Each term contains a visit which is often the hook into a new area of learning and helps to ensure all children are starting from the same starting point.”

A spokesperson for the school said: “The outside is an extension of our indoor classroom and the message we would give out is it enhances our curriculum.”

Romsey Abbey Church of England Primary School has their own woodland and playing fields right in the heart of Romsey and welcome families from across the Test Valley.

They also teach RE in line with the Hampshire Agreed Syllabus.

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