VIDEO: Three little pigs take up residence at Thorngrove School near Newbury

Three little pigs have taken up residence at a local school as part of a conservation project that also teaches pupils the responsibility of looking after animals.

Pupils and staff at Thorngrove School are now responsible for three Berkshire piglets named Plum, Pickle and Frazzle that are all half-sisters.

Students at the North Hampshire prep school are being encouraged to see the pigs, feed them and generally look after them in order to understand how to care for our four-legged friends.

Year 3 teacher and coordinator of the pig project Saskia Murray said the animals had “settled in really, really well”.

She said: “The children were quite scared at first, but they have been really brilliant. We’ve seen a really different side coming out of them which is great.

“It is so good for them to have that opportunity to try something completely new, get that responsibility and caring nature as well.”

The piglets were born last September.

Thorngrove started to look after them at the beginning of November after their pen was set up by former pupils over the October half- term break.

The school will begin to breed them once they reach the suitable age of around a year old to encourage the growth of the rare native Berkshire breed.

As well as being an educational and conservation project, the piglets have had a massive positive impact on the wellbeing of the pupils as well.

Saskia added: “For some children who are a little bit anxious or are having a tough time at home, it is an amazing place for them to go and see the piglets.

“There’s nothing like being around animals and caring for them that makes you reset your clock, so to speak.”

A competition to name the piglets along with a cake sale raised £375 for Thatcham-based disabled children’s charity Swings & Smiles.

Thorngrove decided that pigs were the perfect animal to pursue as a project as Thorngrove was originally a pig farm before becoming a place of education.