Earl's visit was a big hit with students!

3:20pm Thursday 15th May 2008

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THE Earl of Wessex was in Yeovil last week to officially open the new £1.7-million learning resource centre at Westfield Community School and meet Duke of Edinburgh Award participants.

The award scheme has been running at Westfield for over 25 years. Around 50 pupils take part each year and the school is believed to have had the largest number of bronze award winners in Somerset.

During his visit Prince Edward met young people currently doing their bronze awards, as well as former pupils who achieved an award whilst at Westfield.

Pupils displayed their skills in practising setting up camp, packing their rucksacks, tent erection and stowage.

The silver award pupils instructed the bronze award children on how to use a stove and mentored and supervised them during the cooking of a three-course meal.

The Earl watched an English lesson where pupils were taking part in the "renaissance reading" project - a computer scheme to aid reading aimed at students in Years Seven and Eight.

At the end of the visit, he officially opened the new learning resource centre by unveiling a plaque and said a few words. The Earl also signed the school's visitor's book.

Acting head teacher Jo Stevenson said: "The Earl's visit was a great success and the atmosphere around the school was fantastic.

"The children were excited to see him and we very much appreciate the time he took to speak to as many pupils as possible.

"We were delighted to be able to show off our school and celebrate some of our successes."