PUPILS at a Stourport school enjoyed a cracking end to the spring term by celebrating the arrival of their newly-hatched chicks.

The children of St Bartholomew’s CE Primary School in Areley Kings spent the last month monitoring 20 eggs stored in an incubator and looking after the chicks once they hatched.

A webcam enabled them to observe the hatching process as part of the project, designed to teach them about nature and tied in with the Easter story.

Ian James, headteacher of St Bart;s, said: “To see the eggs cracking open and the tiny chicks appear was amazing and then to watch them grow has been a brilliant experience for pupils and staff.

“It’s been an uplifting end to the term, with everyone back at school, the chicks thriving and a great Easter bonnet parade around our mile-a-day track with the children showing off some fantastic creations.”

The project was funded by Messy Church and the eggs were supplied by Paul McEvoy, from Hen House Farm in Devon, who supported with school with virtual training sessions and by offering advice before returning to the school on April 1 to collect the chicks and provide an interactive learning experience for the pupils.