PUPILS at Belhaven Hill School have ventured outside the classroom to help restore more than 150 metres of hedgerow used by nesting native grey partridge.

Maths teacher Tom Rawson took a 23-strong group of volunteer pupils aged from nine to 13 to Tanderlane Farm, near Garvald.

The project was supported by the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust, the Woodland Trust Scotland and Alba Trees.

Mr Rawson explained the project’s objectives.

“Belhaven Hill School is an independent prep school with its roots firmly in the countryside,” he said.

“We have recently introduced a programme of outdoor education and planting a hedge is a great way to make a lasting positive impact on the beautiful countryside around us.

“By creating something that will last for generations, the children will gain a better understanding of the countryside and appreciate and enjoy their surroundings just a little bit more.” The bushy branches and juicy berries in the traditional Scottish hedge of hawthorn, rowan and blackthorn provide shelter for indigenous, breeding grey partridges.

The hedge will also provide a valuable breeding and feeding area for a number of other bird and animal species.

It is hoped that the new hedge will make a lasting impact on the grey partridge population at Tanderlane Farm.

The project was assisted by Hugo Straker, of the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT), who has worked for many years to halt the decline of the grey partridge.

He praised the school’s efforts.

“I take my hat off to Belhaven Hill School for taking the classroom out to the countryside,” Mr Straker said.

“The smiles on the youngsters’ faces spoke volumes!

“This was a wonderfully practical opportunity to help tomorrow’s stewards of the countryside understand the importance of habitat management for wild grey partridges and farmland songbirds.

“Nothing can beat the hands-on experience of planting a new hedge and the GWCT is delighted to have facilitated this cheerful and thoroughly positive initiative.” The GWCT awards The Dodseed East Lothian Grey Partridge Trophy annually to East Lothian farmers who can demonstrate, through annual partridge counts, that their conservation work has a positive impact on populations of grey partridges by providing specialist breeding and feeding areas, as well as winter cover.

Niall Donaldson, a former Belhaven Hill School parent and owner of Tanderlane Farm, won the award in 2013 for his work to conserve this important native species.

Belhaven Hill is having a family open day on May 17, 10.15am-12.30pm. Call 01368 862785.