Pupils abandoned their classroom for the River Lee as part of 'empty classroom day'.

Year 5 pupils at St Andrew's Primary School, in Chase Road, Southgate, swapped desks and chairs for the rivers and trees of Lee Valley Regional park to learn about wildlife.

The national day was set up in 2012 by the Sustainable School Forum to celebrate outdoor learning.

The 30 pupils learnt about the elusive bittern and other water birds and well the River Lee itself.

Lee Valley Regional Park Authority youth and schools service manager Karen Wheeler said: “The park provides a 10,000-acre outdoor classroom that stretches across London, Essex and Hertfordshire and offers a diverse mix of heritage sites, nature reserves and open spaces alongside world class sports venues.

“There is a variety of unique opportunities for young people with specially created outdoor learning programmes and empty classroom day initiative is another great way to showcase what we have to offer.”