PUPILS from Netherthird Primary are among 1,000 children across Ayrshire who caught the bus.

The specially designed double-decker brings a mobile classroom to schools, allowing children to learn about how to protect their local habitat’s species, and the environment.

It also parked at Ochiltree and Littlemill primaries as it toured the country, teaching up to 26 youngsters at a time with a specialist education team on board.

Having taught more than 30,000 pupils, the award-winning campaign reached a landmark 450th school earlier this month as it rolls on down the road.

With its distinctive markings and Wild About Scotland logo, the bus brings expertise to communities that might not otherwise be able to experience it.

This has been made possible by a partnership between the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) and Clydesdale Bank.

Netherthird’s visitors are pictured during their visit when they found out about searching for wildlife species and taking part in mini-beast hunts.

Children also took part in a fun assembly, The Bonnie Beasts of Scotland, in their school hall to learn about Scotland’s biodiversity.

Additionally, the programme involves online Wild about Scotland resources. These can be accessed by any school for use in classrooms or school grounds.

It also provides resources for before and after the bus visit to extend the children’s learning, allowing teachers and pupils to continue teaching and learning about Scottish conservation, even after the bus has left the school.

Barbara Smith, RZSS chief executive, said: “We are very excited that the Wild about Scotland project has achieved the great milestone of reaching 450 schools.

The project has helped engage children in every corner of Scotland, bringing them closer to nature and teaching them about the incredible local biodiversity that’s available on their door steps.

“We hope the project continues to create a lifelong appreciation of wildlife within the East Ayrshire schools we visited.”

Clydesdale Bank’s marketing director, Helen Page, praised the RZSS for the important role they are playing in educating children about conservation.

She added: “ Sessions across the country are engaging, entertaining and have made a great contribution to raising awareness of Scottish wildlife.

“We’re delighted the programme provides a great opportunity for children to connect with nature.”

For more information on the project visit here