The pupil found an iron cannonball believed to date back to the English Civil War during a school trip to Ufton Court, a Tudor manor house in Berkshire with strong links to the English Civil War.

The student, from Westfields Junior School, made the discovery while searching for a lost football in hedges recently cleared by volunteers during an outdoor learning session.

He has since said the find has inspired him to pursue archaeology as a career.

Kayaan Gajjarr, a pupil at Westfields Junior School, said: “I was looking for my football when I found it.

“I had thought about being an archaeologist before, but now I really want to be one.”

Ufton Court is home to the Ufton Court Educational Trust, which delivers immersive, hands-on outdoor education to around 20,000 children each year.

The charity emphasises real-world learning through direct experience.

Sarah Lindsell, chief executive of the Ufton Court Educational Trust, said: “We spend a lot of time worrying about children growing up on screens.

“Then a child finds a cannonball on a school trip and wants to be an archaeologist.

“That is what happens when learning is outdoors.”

The grounds of Ufton Court are known for their historical significance, particularly during the English Civil War, when nearby areas saw military skirmishes.

The cannonball is now undergoing further analysis to confirm its age and historical context, but its discovery is already being hailed as a tangible reminder of the value of outdoor learning.

Jo Redman, headteacher at Westfields Junior School, said: “We know learning beyond the classroom builds curiosity and confidence.

“Experiences at Ufton Court allow children to connect with the real-world contexts.

“This discovery perfectly captures the awe and wonder that such experiences can inspire, turning history into something truly memorable.”

The object, believed to be a Civil War-era cannonball, will now undergo further analysis (Image: Ufton Court)

During the Civil War, Ufton Court was owned by Edmund Perkins, a member of a prominent Catholic family.

The Perkins family had held the estate since 1581.

Already under financial strain due to fines imposed for their Catholic faith, the family remained loyal to the King during the conflict.

According to an 1892 account by former Ufton Court tenant Mary Sharp, the area surrounding Ufton Court saw active military engagement.

A notable skirmish took place just three-quarters of a mile from the manor.

Parliamentarian forces under Lord Wessex clashed with the Royalist cavalry led by Prince Rupert.

The Parliamentarians repelled the Royalist troops before moving on to the First Battle of Newbury in September 1643.

Following the encounter, the Perkins family, along with other Royalist sympathisers in the area, were heavily taxed by Parliament for their allegiance to the Crown.

Maisie Willis had been running a small egg stand outside her family home when two hooded youths in Holbury, Southampton, tore it down and stole her produce.

Mr Clarkson described it as the “saddest story of the week” in last week’s column for The Times, lamenting what he sees as the decline of the country’s entrepreneurial streak.

In his piece, he argued the incident underlines his belief that “it’s easier to live on benefits”.

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Big shout out to @JeremyClarkson for taking the time to write about our daughter! She loves watching @ClarksonsFarm1 and can’t wait for the next series! pic.twitter.com/jdEBr7kZzZ

— Chelsea (@Chelsea76803874) May 2, 2026

“Little Maisie Willis keeps a few chickens in the back garden at her home near Southampton, and sells the eggs to passers-by from a roadside stall,” the outspoken presenter said.

“But while she was celebrating her fourth birthday, some yobs in balaclavas broke her stall and smashed all the eggs.

“She wanted to make a bit of pocket money. She was learning about business.

“And now she’s been taught it’s easier to live on benefits.”

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The family later discovered the wrecked stall dumped in a nearby street, with Maisie’s smashed eggs scattered across the road.

Maisie’s mother, Chelsea Willis, eventually tracked down the two teenagers involved and secured an apology.

The 28-year-old said: “Two horrible boys smashed it apart and threw her eggs all across the road.

“They have been made to apologise, but it doesn’t make up for how upset she is.

“We were having her birthday party, and these boys ruined it.”

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Now, in the latest development, Mr Clarkson has invited Maisie to his Diddly Squat Farm in Chadlington to meet the animals.

On X yesterday (Sunday, May 3), mum Chelsea posted: “Big shout out to Jeremy Clarkson for taking the time to write about our daughter.

“She loves watching Clarkson’s Farm and can’t wait for the next series.”

Mr Clarkson spotted the message and responded promptly with the idea of a farm and shop visit for the young girl.

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The 66-year-old wrote: “I would love to host her at the farm one day.

“She could come and meet all our animals, and Lisa could show her round our little shop.”

Maisie’s mum replied: “That would be amazing.

“We were actually discussing yesterday about coming up to the shop. Please feel free to message us”

The 36-year-old actress played Hogwarts witch Hermione Granger in all eight films of the franchise alongside co-stars Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint.

Ms Watson has turned her attention to studies after her iconic role in J.K. Rowling’s series, as well as parts in Hollywood films The Perks of Being a Wallflower and Little Women.

She had been studying a Master’s degree in creative writing at Oxford University since September 2023.

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It was revealed in February 2025 that Ms Watson had switched to a DPhil, which is Oxford’s version of a PhD.

Now, the actress showed off an unusual method for making cocktails while filming a new video with British Vogue.

The clip uploaded to Instagram shows Ms Watson removing one of her Prada high heels and using it to smash the ice on the table.

“I’m taking off my shoe because there’s no rolling pin and I need to crush the ice with something,” she said.

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“I figure this is actually, sorry Miuccia, maybe the best thing I can do this with, and, actually, this is better than a rolling pin.

“I don’t feel like Hermione Granger has a cocktail, but you know, maybe in later years, when things got really stressful and hairy, when she had loads of responsibility and a really stressful job.”

The accompanying caption from British Vogue said: “So, what’s Emma Watson’s technique for making the perfect cocktail? Crushing ice with her Prada heels.”