A VISIT to a chemical company has boosted pupils' interest in STEM-related careers.

A group of year-four pupils from Sutton Community Primary School spent a day at Airedale Chemical's Skipton Road site.

During the visit, organised as part of a growing partnership between the school and the firm, the youngsters carried out a range of experiments.

A survey afterwards revealed that all the children were more interested in science as a result.

Before the visit, just 14 per cent of pupils rated science as their favourite subject, but that soared to 71 per cent.

Teacher David Horton said: "It was fantastic to see how inspired all the children were following the visit.

"Before the partnership, most of the children preferred subjects such as art and physical education. But they now acknowledge how interesting, fulfilling and creative STEM – Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics – subjects can be."

Airedale Chemical's head of marketing, Daniel Marr, said the company was "overwhelmed" with the positive feedback from the survey.

He added: "Our main objective is to fuel pupils' interest in STEM subjects and share our expertise through our partnership with the school.

"One hundred per cent of the pupils said they would like to do more trips to the site, so we look forward to continuing this relationship."