Primary youngsters learn about where their food comes from during week-long tripPupils get a taste of life on the farmON any normal weekday these children would be gearing up for the school run.

But instead pupils from Cherbourg Primary School in Eastleigh found themselves mucking out and collecting eggs for their own breakfasts as part of a farming-based school trip.

In an effort to help youngsters get a hands-on approach to topics including where their food comes from, life cycles, nutrition and environmental issues, the school booked a week-long stay at the Beaulieu-based Countryside Education Centre.

Each morning children completed their morning tasks which included gardening and farm chores to help gather food for breakfast.

The youngsters could then tuck into the farm’s own eggs, home-made sausages, bread and home-grown vegetables.

There was a particular focus on the importance of a good, nutritional breakfast as the centre was promoting National Breakfast Week.

Jeanette Owens, who runs the farm at the centre, said: “It is such a brilliant experience for the children, many of whom would be unaware of how food gets to their plates and what we have to do to farm it.”

The 30 Year 4 pupils also learned skills including teamwork, social skills and personal development.

Assistant headteacher Kate Wallace said: “It is a fantastic trip for our children, particularly coming from quite an urban area. We make the best use out of our limited outdoor space. To spend a week at the centre gives them a real hands-on approach to topics.

“Not only does it cover a range of topics, the children also learn the value of teamwork, living in a community, even small things like making their beds and serving and clearing each other’s plates at meal times.”