Ivy Lane School in Chippenham is unravelling the mystery of nature for its tech-savvy youngsters.

The primary school is near to the Bridge Roundabout, but, despite its central location, it is keen to give its children real outdoor experiences. Last week it received a helping hand from Wessex Water, which presented it with a £750 Wessex Watermark award.

The money will help to build a pond dipping platform for a pond in the school’s wild meadow area.

Broadcaster and botanist David Bellamy chairs the panel that judges which environmental projects receive Watermark Award funding.

Staff at Ivy Lane said their new pond and dipping platform were an important part of its plan to increase the diversity of its outdoor area.

Headteacher Chris Cannings said: “Ivy Lane is a hub school for a local project between the 10 town primary schools to promote learning outdoors. We obviously want to give both the teachers and children the best experience possible.

“Every child probably knows how to operate a smartphone and is familiar with the digital world, while experience and contact with the natural environment becomes more of a mystery.

“At Ivy Lane School we are redressing that balance and working with other schools to achieve the same.”