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No ducking classes

Marie Burchill
24/ 5/2007

A MOTHER duck and her offspring have caused quite a flap at Manchester High School for Girls.

The duck - along with her 16 Mallard ducklings - were first spotted when they emerged from The Magnolia Courtyard at the Grangethorpe Road school.

The orderly troupe then began to cause quite a stir among pupils when they made their way through the corridors of the school, passing students who were on their way to classes.

The ducklings then emerged into the car park, by which time they had attracted a league of student followers temporarily diverted from their classes by the spectacle.

As the group of ducklings waddled through the car park - with their mother in the lead - students at Manchester High School decided that this was a sight not to be missed. Following carefully behind the ducklings, a group of pupils took out their mobile phones and began snapping quick pictures of them.

The ducklings then undertook their last leg of the journey, under the watchful eye of the school's maintenance manager, Terry Wilson.

He ushered the group carefully back to their natural habitat in the safe surroundings of neighbouring Platt Fields Park.

However, this won't be the last duckling show for students. It seems that the little chicks have taken quite a liking to The Magnolia Courtyard at the school.

Mr Wilson said: "It was 13 years ago when we came across the first duck roosting in the courtyard and they have tended to return ever since.

"The number of ducklings has varied over the years, but this year's total of 16 is certainly among the largest I can remember.

"It is amazing that at least one duck manages to return to the same place each year. It must be the safety of the courtyard that they like - or maybe it is the attention they get.

"They certainly kept the pupils entertained!"