CHILDREN built a scarecrow and sang songs at a school harvest festival.

Parents of youngsters at Bishop William Ward School, in Coach Road, Great Horkesley, were invited to watch the event on Thursday.

The children also brought in food items, which will be donated to Colchester Food Bank.

For the reception children, it was the first time they had participated in a full school assembly.

Headteacher Toby Bull said: “They did us proud. They were confident and they sang their songs so well.

“The children loved it.”

The school had extra reason to celebrate as it has just been ranked outstanding by the church schools inspection board.