Intent

The Eco-Schools programme is pupil-led, involving hands-on learning that gets the whole school and the wider community involved in exciting environmental projects. It empowers pupils to lead change within their school and have a positive impact in their wider community. Pupils of all ages and abilities are encouraged to work together to improve their understanding of how to live and be part of a sustainable world and how they can be responsible citizens in a world where environmental issues grow more pressing by the day.

We use a cross curricular approach to educate our students across a wide range of issues from the biodiversity of life in their school and neighbourhood to their use of energy and water, both at school and at home, and how to deal with litter and waste. We would also like to see them become true global citizens where their personal impact can be felt on a much wider stage across the planet.

Implementation

Environmental topics are taught throughout school from Reception up to Year 6. These topics are addressed in a cross-curricular manner through subjects such as Science and Topic where meaningful links can be made. Alongside this curricular approach, our school engages in a wider approach to teach our children about environmental matters from working in our allotment planting flowers and vegetables and picking up rubbish during break times.

Furthermore engaging with the wider community for projects such as Walk to School Week and Bikability for a less polluted local environment. The school also takes part in the annual Green Flag Award that allows children to take part in a series of audits across school in the following areas: Healthy Living, Litter, Waste, Global Citizenship, Water and Marine Life, School Grounds, Transport, Biodiversity and Energy.

Children are asked to audit the school in each of these areas and then an action plan is formulated for our three areas in need of improvement. By working towards a series of goals and targets and by involving the wider school through assemblies and peer to peer education, children have an opportunity to be part of a wider, sweeping change across school.

Impact

Our hopes for our children and the planet they will inhabit are of the utmost importance for us. Our children grow in understanding of the world around them and feel more confident in being part of a much larger movement and force for good across both our country and the world.

They develop an improved knowledge of how to use energy and water sustainably, they come to understand the importance of looking after our planet. They come to understand how to care for their local neighbourhood in terms of waste disposal and recycling but also how to keep their own personal environment tidy and free from waste and litter. Their responsibility in changing the world for the better is something they come to be aware of and they begin their development into global citizens with a wider appreciation of not just their local area but also the wider world. 

We have been part of the Eco School programme for many years and have been rewarded with the Bronze and Silver Awards and then with the Green Flag award. We are currently working towards to renew this certificate and will do so every year with new projects in focus.