CHILDREN are learning how to care for animals in a pioneering project.
Pupils at Barnton Primary and Community School have their very own mini smallholding and allotment!
Every day they take it in turns to tend to goats Billy and Buster, pigs Peppa and Princess, Lopsy the rabbit and cockapoo Mabel the therapy dog.
Thea Williamson, Iyarnah Malek, Noah Atkinson, William Tompsett and Jackson Merriman with the sheep and chickens
Two newly arrived sheep will be christened shortly when children's votes are counted.
Their 20 running ducks and chickens haven't been given names as there are far too many!
Children are currently choosing names for their two new sheep
Headteacher Alison Lawson said: "Children absolutely love the animals. It is a unique provision and really does give them an interest.
"They love to come to school and look after the animals."
The idea was hatched five years ago when staff decided to get some chickens to help pupils with complex learning needs.
"They did such a magnificent job of looking after the animals and taking responsibility for them, we thought the rest of the school could get involved," said Mrs Lawson.
"Suddenly we were inundated with animals!"
Nurturing the animals has helped children to learn lots of new skills and build up their confidence.
Thea Williamson feeds the sheep
"It ties into our school curriculum for emotional and social needs," said Mrs Lawson. "Interacting with the animals shows children empathy, care, love, compassion, understanding and commitment."
Having animals outside the classroom also helps pupils in many other subjects such as science and art.
"For art, having actual sheep to sketch is so much better than looking at pictures," said Mrs Lawson. "It's much more hands on, giving children actual experience.
"Children study how the animals move and reproduce," said Mrs Lawson. "We get the chickens from eggs. We incubate the eggs and our reception children watch them hatch and then carry them outside and introduce them to the other chickens.
"We keep our chickens for life and collect the eggs.
"They are out pets, we don't eat them but children know where our food comes from."
Children and their families can volunteer to look after the animals at weekends, evenings and during the holidays.
Pupils can also join a lunch time and after school animal club and visit the sheep, goats, ducks and chickens at playtime.
The animals help pupils in lots of their subjects including art and science
Youngsters are also learning how to grow fresh fruit and vegetables.
"We have 20 raised beds and a large polytunnel," said Mrs Lawson. "Every Tuesday and Thursday children take part in growing vegetables. They see the harvest, plant and weed.
"We always try to grow something a bit unusual. This year we were very proud of our melons!"
All the fresh produce is used in the school kitchen to make healthy dishes for lunch.
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"We recently had a soup kitchen for the community," said Mrs Lawson. "We grow all our own carrots, potatoes, swede and parsnips."
Site maintenance officer Jane Burridge and Willows Vets were praised for looking after the animals.
"Jane does an absolutely magnificent job," said Mrs Lawson. "All are animals are very well looked after, even spoilt. Willows Vets are great with us. One of the vets is going to come along and run a course in shearing.
"We try and give our children as many opportunities as possible. Once we have found the interest of each individual child, we run with it.
"We are a school of opportunity."
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