Water was the theme running through the first ever Global Citizenship Day held at Harbertonford Primary.

As a small rural South Hams school, staff are “acutely aware” their pupils are not exposed to the same range of issues that children in city schools experience and consider every day.

In response, they formulated a citizenship programme which explores issues such as discrimination, diversity of family structures and gender identity.

The school also holds a world explorer day twice each term, when pupils ‘visit’ another country to learn about its geography, culture, customs, history and food.

This term pupils held their first Global Citizenship Day when they explored water-themed ideas including parity in daily access to clean water and how communities affected by continual flooding manage to grow crops and feed their population.

Headteacher Anne Burns said: "We are committed to ensuring that our children are well prepared for a life in our world today and tomorrow.

“An understanding of our global community is key to that, and the children need to explore issues such as prejudice and inequality in a safe and informed environment.

“I am so appreciative of my staff, who have embraced the opportunity to address a range of these issues and always ensure that the children are engaged in a way that makes their learning personal and meaningful.

“Our learning today has had a huge impact on the children- just to appreciate that not everyone has access to a plentiful supply of clean, safe water is significant.

“We are already excited about exploring another global issue next term.”