THE Prince of Wales has visited Ysgol San Sior, the environmentally inspirational school at the base of the Great Orme.

The Prince was invited by the headmaster, Ian Keith Jones, earlier this year at a lunch in Clarence House.

Under Ian’s headship the school has established itself as a ground breaker in stimulating children’s interest in the natural world.

During the visit Prince Charles was taken on a tour of the school by the children and saw its menagerie, with lizards, bull frogs, tree frogs and chameleons.

He also saw the flock of 150 chickens, which produced 20,000 eggs last year. Ysgol San Sior is the only school in the UK registered to sell eggs to retail establishments. A every stop a group of well informed and confident children showed him the creatures and briefed him on their habits.

While he was at the school it was announced Ysgol San Sior had won the World Wildlife Fund's Green Team Award for Wales, which was presented by Prince Charles.

He went on see the school’s golden pheasants, whose eggs are sold on E Bay before being taken to some of the schools 10 beehives. The school produces honey which it also sells.

He then witnessed children pond dipping who showed him all the wildlife in the ponds.

Mr Jones then took Prince Charles to the school’s moth traps. Ian said: “We set a trap every evening so the children can see the different types of moths which have been caught. To date we’ve caught more than 50 species since April 20.”

Throughout the 45 minute visit Prince Charles stopped and chatted to children and asked about their interest in wildlife and which of the numerous creatures they preferred.

Mr Jones explained the idea for the visit came during the private lunch with Prince Charles. He said: “Last year we won a green ambassador’s award from the World Wildlife Fund and his Royal Highness is the President of the World Wildlife Fund. As a result I was invited to a private lunch at Clarence House to talk about the school and how we keep bees.

“While I was there he asked for a box of our eggs, so I sent him a box of our eggs. He sent a letter in return thanking me for the eggs and sent us a pot of his honey. In his letter, he said he would love to visit the school.”

He added: “We didn’t really think much about it. Then a few weeks later I had a phone call to say he really would like to visit the school, and so it has happened.

“I hope he has had an inspirational day as the children have enjoyed.”