Perins School in Alresford has won a national video competition based on the vibrant annual Mexican celebration Día de Muertos.

The school explored the event - also known as Day of the Dead - as a project involving the languages, art, English, history, religious studies and food technology departments. It took place on November 1 and 2 and is rooted in Aztec and Catholic traditions.

Activities ranged from creating colourful altars and papel picado to crafting traditional masks, writing reflective poetry, exploring the festival's origins and preparing themed dishes.

A Year 7 pupil said: “Learning about other cultures and what holidays they celebrate is fun and something I really enjoyed. By taking part in this project, I now know so much more than I did before.”

The video competition was judged by the University of Southampton and the Mexican Embassy in London.

Perins welcomed Dr Jane Lavery from the University of Southampton, who gave an inspiring assembly to Year 7.

Joining her via Microsoft Teams was the Mexican ambassador, Josefa González-Blanco Ortiz-Mena, who congratulated the pupils live as they announced Perins as the winners.

Head of school Mark Nevola said: “Our students not only explored the cultural significance of Día de Muertos but also gained a deeper understanding of how this festival differs from other celebrations around the world.

“This project promoted inclusivity, global awareness and teamwork across year groups. It was a shining example of how enriching, collaborative learning can ignite curiosity and bring our school community together. We are incredibly proud of all our students for their enthusiasm and creativity.”

The accolade sparked “huge excitement” at Perins, with staff and pupils delighted that their creativity and hard work was recognised at national level as part of the school’s efforts to provide projects that expand cultural awareness, celebrate diversity and inspire children to explore the outside world.