There is good news for a Brampton school’s smallholding after it was awarded charity status.

The WHS Open Spaces project as been going for more than two years on a three-quarter acre site at William Howard School, in Longtown Road.

Students and children throughout the community, helped by volunteers, tend livestock such as sheep, ducks and hens - they also grow their own fruit and veg. About 50 per cent of the children attend after school hours.

The aim is to teach youngsters about living environmentally and sustainably and what goes into producing the foods we eat.

The project was built on a previous school tradition which lapsed.

Elizabeth Brereton, English teacher, sustainability lead and organiser of the project said: “We have been given charity status which is massive in terms of what it can do for us. It opens doors in terms of funding and recognises the hard work.

“What we have done is of a standard worthy of being a charity, we are working all around the community and places like Longtown.

“We were very much encouraged by the headteacher, Chris McAree, to go for charity status.

“There is a lot of paperwork involved in setting up a charity so it’s lovely to finally to be able to achieve it and go for funding straight away.”

She said that one application for funding she she hopes to make soon is for money from the Freemasons.

Recently the project raised £500 for a shed but they are planning to raise more to replace outdated equipment.

Recently pupils have been selling the produce that they’ve grown on a stall at the school every Wednesday.

The seasonal stock includes a range of cooking and eating apples, pears, broad beans and plums.

Mrs Brereton said they only asked for donations, with all funds going back into the project.

To find out how to donate or help with the project email mail@williamhoward.cumbria.sch.uk