A first school in Keighley has been named among the top ten animal friendly schools in the country.

Nessfield has been chosen to receive a £500 award by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals because of its outstanding commitment to animal welfare.

The 360 pupils are among the first ever winners of the award and beat off 3,500 other schools and colleges in England and Wales.

Headteacher Sandra Antcliffe said she was proud and delighted with the honour, especially for the pupils and staff involved.

The school was chosen because of the way animal welfare and the environment have been included in the curriculum.

And judges were impressed by the greenhouse and wildlife haven, which includes a pond for fish, frogs and other pondlife, which has been developed in the school grounds.

The area also contains wild flowers and is a magnet for butterflies and insects in the summer.

Mrs Antcliffe said: "The idea to feature animal welfare and the environment was initially developed two years ago by class teacher Claire Williamson, who has a great love of animals. She organised a special week to coincide with RSPCA animal week and the RSPCA education officer was invited to speak to the children."

The school, which has a no-pets policy, has built the issues of animal welfare and the environment into the curriculum.

"We try to create an awareness of the importance of animal welfare and also to look more deeply at issues such as the rain forest, deforestation and the impact that has on animals," added Mrs Antcliffe.

She said the pond gives children hands on experience of seeing creatures in the environment.

David Allen, the RSPCA's head of education, said: "Young people care passionately about animals. Our aim is to inspire respect for animals and educate people about the responsibility we have towards them."

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