Pheasant surprise for youngsters

A PRIMARY school is to teach kids how to gut, prepare and cook animals to eat.

The school is hosting a day of survival training where children have a chance to hold pheasants and pluck them.

Head teacher Peter Seargent, a former soldier, now based at Ashgate Primary in Derby, will then cook one of the birds. However the children won’t be able to eat it afterwards due to hygiene regulations. The youngsters will also learn basic survival principles, such as how to find water and shelter and firelighting strategies.

Mr Seargent said the day would be a “really positive experience” for the pupils, aged 10 and 11.

He added: “We aren’t forcing the children to do it. They’ve been studying survival techniques – we’re giving them the reality.”