A HAMPSHIRE school has been awarded the first ever Gold Achievement Award for its work with the Engaging Young People Programme.

Hampshire Collegiate Prep School, Embley Park, was presented the award by The Hampshire Ornithological Society (HOS) for its participation in the charity’s programme following the school’s Spring Watch week.

Every year, the prep school holds a Spring Watch week for children to explore wildlife and nature.

This is the fourth year the Hampshire Ornithological Society has sent a team of volunteers to the school and this year’s activities included a bird trail with a HOS team through the school’s 130 acre estate, creating giant nest sculptures filled with decorated eggs and creating spring-themed poems.

The Gold Achievement Award is the highest award the HOS has presented and is recognition of the activities that take place at Hampshire Collegiate School.

Each pupil takes part in a HOS related activity and Spring Watch is a cross-curriculum programme, being integrated across many different subjects.

When presenting the award, Doctor Patricia Brown from the Hampshire Ornithological Society, said: “The depth of knowledge and understanding that pupils gain from the experience is clear from working with them. The school provides a sustained and embedded event celebrating the natural world and spring.”

She added: “Specifically, significant for HOS was the scientific basis for the bird trail with pupils observing through sight and sound and then recording their discoveries – birds and other natural features.

"Spring Watch Week promotes an interest in and understanding of nature and ornithology.”

From September, Hampshire Collegiate School will be called Embley as part of a new visual identity being launched by the school.

The school will be holding open mornings this autumn on September 27 and September 28 from 9am to 12pm.

They will also be holding an open morning on November 7 from 9am to 12pm.