Ken James, the newly appointed headmaster of Fyling Hall in Robin Hood's Bay was rather thrilled to discover that the garden of his head's house at the school is perfect for rearing chickens.

He told the Whitby Gazette: "I've always fancied keeping chickens and I saw at once this garden was ideal.

"Plenty of space and grass for them to scratch around, trees for shelter and all surrounded by a good, solid stone wall to keep Mr Fox out."

Luckily for Mr James, it just so happened the school cook, Sarah Husband has a brother who rears organic chickens, and several of the senior boys knew a thing or two about hammers and saws.

Now, within three weeks of moving into his new home, Mr James has been joined by three feathered friends in a very stylish purpose-built hen coop.

"They're supposed to be Marins." he said.

"But we reckon there might have been some cross-breeding somewhere along the line.

"It's great for our junior pupils.

"They love coming round to feed the birds and collecting the eggs.

"There isn't quite enough to supply breakfast for the school yet, but we're all looking forward to hatching chicks of our own."

There is definitely no danger of the headmaster oversleeping for assembly – the cockerel starts crowing at 5am.