YOUNG conservationists at Dorcan Academy had a chance to hear about the work of the National Trust when they were visited by the Swindon-based organisation’s director general.

Dame Helen Ghosh visited the school on Tuesday, June23, to speak to students about her career.

Headteacher Sherryl Bareham said: “It’s such a privilege to host an event like this.

"We are always looking for ways to inspire students to make a difference in the world and here is someone who has done that.”

Dame Helen spoke about the work of the National Trust and its current focus on dealing with the effects of climate change, including generating power from alternative energy sources like hydroelectric power, insulating its properties with wool from its own sheep and preserving habitats for native species.

The school booked the talk through Speakers For Schools, which organises presentations for schools by high-profile public figures.

Asked whether Dorcan Academy would recommend the scheme to other schools, headboy Sam Bedwell said: “We definitely would.

"There’s so much we can learn from people like Dame Helen, who have achieved so much.”

When asked by the students about her greatest achievement, Dame Helen pointed to focusing the trust on issues related to climate change.

Dame Helen graduated from Oxford with a First Class honours degree and went on to work in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs before taking on the role of director general.