A HIGHGATE school has hatched a plan to farm chickens and vegetables as part of a new ecology drive. Four clucking chickens have arrived at the Channing School and a vegetable plot has been built in the backyard so pupils can learn about the environment a

A HIGHGATE school has hatched a plan to farm chickens and vegetables as part of a new ecology drive.

Four clucking chickens have arrived at the Channing School and a vegetable plot has been built in the backyard so pupils can learn about the environment and looking after animals and plants.

A student-led environment council came up with the plan for fresh eggs and veg.

English teacher William Herring, who has organised the project, said: "The council has been looking at projects like food waste, which is collected in bins by a company who compost it.

"We are about to plant a crop of winter vegetables. The idea is to give the girls a chance to look at small-scale farming. It is all about bringing the countryside into the city and learning about food production."

Picture by Nigel Sutton