Pupils and teachers at the William Howard School in Brampton were treated to a wild display of falconry last week.

The pupils at Open Spaces were visited by a falconry centre in Carlisle.

Liz Brereton, a teacher at William Howard School who’s lead the Open Spaces Group since it was founded in 2010, said: "The falconry visit was a huge hit at William Howard School Open Spaces.

"It was really amazing to have the pupils experience birds of prey up close and personal with Gary Swainson, from Cumberland Falconry centre- Bird Of Prey Centre.

The Cumberland Bird of Prey Centre provides wedding ring delivery by bird of prey, falconry and hawking courses, activities, corporate events, shows and displays as well as film work throughout northern England and southern Scotland.

The centre offers displays of owls, falcons, vultures, hawks, and eagles.

"We had year 7-8 and Year 10 students there – not only watching the birds fly- a barn owl called Pedro and Poppy; two falcons and a turkey vulture called Gollum."

"One representative from the falconry centre came with the owls and falcons, and we and the pupils were able to handle the birds, and watch them fly.

"We had about thirty-five people who stayed after school to watch the amazing display.

"It was wonderful.

"With lockdown, it has been a very long time since we have been able to organise or have a visit at the school.

"The children's faces lit up.

"Everyone was so enthusiastic about it."

The visit was a part of Open Spaces, which is a registered charity in its own right, and William Howard School's farm.

The farm is on school grounds so the pupils and parents and teachers alike can visit the animals on site, including rabbits, and guinea pigs, the former of which had been stolen but successfully returned.

The pupils have also bred sheep, hens, ducks, frogs and even hedgehogs.

It is also home to a substantial field of edible crops, including strawberries.

People come after school to Open Spaces, and in the holidays.

It is also part of the school's curriculum, where the children at the school are able to and taught how to look after the animals they have.

Liz said: "Open Spaces is part of William Howard School's legacy."