STUDENTS at a Barnard Castle school have been learning about the life cycle in a unique way after being tasked with caring for trout eggs in their classroom.

Year 12 students, Alice Jackson and Abbie Hardy, both 17, have been checking on the eggs every day since Teesdale School installed the tank for the first time on January 7.

The Trout in the Classroom project forms part of a wider project called Riverlab delivered by the Tees Rivers Trust, and funded by the Heart of Teesdale Partnership which donated £18,000 to the scheme.

Sara Cox, of the Trust, gave a talk to the pupils about the trout cycle before Christmas before the 100 eggs were installed in the school.

Ms Cox said the project was important because it allowed the children to see the cycle first hand, with Teesdale School also taking part in the project.

She said: “The Trout in the Classroom project encourages the children to take an interest in what’s going on in the river.”

She added: “It’s to teach them about water quality – it’s not a stocking project – but gives the children an insight into how important that the water quality is good because trout are very vulnerable to any changes.”

Miss Jackson and Miss Hardy, who are both studying biology for their A Levels, said the project was very useful, especially because it was a practical way of learning and have already seen one trout hatch successfully.

“It’s great looking after them and seeing them grow,” Miss Jackson said.

Miss Hardy added: “It’s really interesting especially watching their progress.”