PUPILS at Okehampton Primary were 'Getting Dirty With Soil' as part of the latest Socrates Society workshop.

Gifted pupils from Years 3, 4 and 5 investigated what soil is, why it is important, investigated the differences in soil types, tested for pH and investigated what mini beasts can be found in the school soil.

The second half of the day was linked to the school's Gambia and keyhole garden project, learning about what sort of soil a village in Gambia might have, how the quality of the soil could be improved, the different composting systems there are at school and how compost improves soil quality.

Children then harvested compost from the wormery and created their own mini model keyhole gardens and planted broad beans to take home.

The day finished by dressing up in authentic Gambian clothes for a photo in front of the keyhole garden display.

The workshop was part of a new programme of events for gifted and talented primary school children called the Socrates Society which aims to provide challenging thinking opportunities for gifted and talented children both from Okehampton Primary School and from schools across the county. Workshops will cover a whole range of interesting topics and subjects.