DEDICATION to protecting and promoting the environment has paid off for one West Dorset school.

A key part of life for pupils at Cerne Abbas First School is caring for the world they live in – and their adherence to this has won them a top regional award.

The 42-student school was presented with the Diamond Jubilee Environmental Award at this year’s Bath and West Show.

They were in competition with much larger schools from across the region and the judges were so impressed with all the entrants that they gave every school a prize.

While working for the award, pupils at the Cerne school worked with Maddy Irvine from Dorset Forest Schools and Mary-Ann Featherstone from Dorset For Trees.

They have also instigated a composting and waste food collecting regime at the school and have a thriving garden complete with a vegetable patch, tree nursery, spiritual area and insect hotel.

With Maddy the youngsters visited a local wood where they played Robin Hood games and roasted hazelnuts on a fire.

Mary-Ann brought the children seeds to plant that will grow into trees and then be planted out around the village.

The scheme has been spearheaded by teacher Mo Chutter, who is retiring this term after 14 years with the school.

She was also helped by parent Sarah Roberts as well as Robert Christian, a pupil’s grandfather.

Mo, who is known as the school’s ‘eco warrior’ and used to run the school gardening club, said: “The children learn so much through working outside and in the natural environment.

“The things we do can also be worked into the maths and literacy curriculum so it helps them in so many easy.

“We are thrilled to bits with the award, especially as we were up against much bigger schools. It really demonstrates an important part of the ethos of the school.”

School is 'outstanding'

There are 42 children at Cerne Abbas First School, which was given an outstanding rating at its last Ofsted inspection.

The school is divided into three classes – Giant, Trendle and Abbey – and is a member of the Dorchester Area Schools Partnership (DASP).

It maintains close links with the community and church and in addition to classroom lessons, pupils also take part in outdoor work and have their own spiritual garden where they can go for quiet time.

The school has won its Silver Artsmark and is an Eco School, Healthy School and Unicef Rights Respecting School.