Silent auction to raise money for school minibus

Old Cleeve School wants to buy a school bus to take pupils out on excursions

A rural primary school is hosting a silent auction to raise money for a minibus that could take children out on excursions.

Old Cleeve School in Washford, Somerset, is selling more than 100 items, including cider, signed rugby merchandise and restaurant vouchers to raise money for a school bus.

The primary school wants to offer its pupils trips to farms and other educational activities outside of the classroom.

Emma Murch, headteacher at the school, said: "Children learn best when they can get very hands-on and very immersed in it. Because of budget cuts it's harder and harder to get out."

Annie, aged six, is a pupil at the school and said she wanted to go to "lots of different farms".

Ms Merch added: "Annie is from a farming family as many of our children are.

"Putting children who are mostly outdoors into a classroom is not always conducive to learning.

"They want to be outdoors, they're used to being out free and learning from the experiences around them."

She added that the school having its own transport was "really important" to show the pupils "what's out there".

The auction is being held online and people can participate until 17 November.

People can bid on family days out, holidays, or cases of cider - everything that is offered is supplied by local Somerset businesses.