Pupils at Lampard School in Barnstaple had a hands-on lesson in recycling today (Wednesday 21 January) when North Devon Council waste and recycling officers visited to show them how their services work.

As part of the Spring Term 1 topic on recycling, the pupils are learning about what happens to different types of waste and how to sort it correctly. The officers brought along a recycling vehicle and demonstrated how it operates, giving the children a chance to see the process up close.

The officers also took the time to explain their job roles and emphasise the importance of keeping the local area tidy, helping pupils understand the work behind collecting and managing waste in the community.

The visit also tied in with Lampard School’s ongoing ‘Future Fridays’ initiative, where classes take part in litter picking and school recycling projects to help care for their local environment.

Councillor Julie Hunt, Lead Member for Waste and Recycling, said: “Visits like this are a great opportunity to help young people understand how waste and recycling services work and why it’s so important to recycle correctly. Engaging with schools helps raise awareness from an early age and encourages positive habits that benefit both the local environment and the wider community. I’m grateful to the team for taking the time to carry out this visit and for the positive engagement they provide.”

Lampard’s Assistant Head for SEND, Kristel Norris, said: "Life skills are a big of our curriculum. It’s great for our children to have these real-life, hands-on experiences that make links with our local services and enable our children to make better environmental choices in the future."

By combining education with practical experience, the school hopes to inspire pupils to take what they’ve learned back into their classrooms, homes, and communities.