PUPILS were given an insight into conservation during an annual event which inspires young people to connect with nature.

Dr Tim Mackrill, founder of the Osprey Leadership Foundation, and a leading national expert on osprey migration spoke to over 500 people during the Cameron Bespolka Memorial Wildlife Talk at Winchester College.

More than 470 primary school pupils were informed about the reintroduction of ospreys and white-tailed eagles to Southern England.

Children came from primary schools across Winchester including St Bede, St Faith, Harestock, Stanmore, Winnall, All Saints, Sparsholt, and Twyford St Mary’s.

This was just one part of a Week of Wonder at Winchester College. The school runs numerous outreach activities and events. However, this week saw record numbers of local children coming onto the Winchester College campus to extend their learning.

Winchester College welcomed in over 1,000 local primary school pupils for a variety of expert talks, musical performances, dramatic opportunities, museum exploration, and a maths celebration.

All the activities were oversubscribed; testament to both the quality of what was on offer and the positive approach of local teachers, keen to embrace these excellent opportunities.

Sparsholt Primary School came to the Science Department to see The Really Cool Show, a lecture by Dr Barron packed with demonstrations of what happens when you reduce the temperature of everyday materials to -196°C using liquid nitrogen.

A school spokesperson said: “The 50 pupils had a smashing time with fruit, squash balls and flowers succumbing to the combination of cryogenics and a hammer.”