Eco-School wins green award
Birchwood Primary School in Polesworth is the first school to gain an award under the new Eco-Schools programme in Warwickshire.
Eco-Schools is an international programme for schools, and prestigious awards can be gained. The top award is a green flag, and bronze and silver awards are also given. The aim of the programme is to make schools more environmentally aware, and help prevent damage to the environment. The scheme can also save schools money by reducing costs for water, energy and waste disposal.
Seven topic areas are covered in the programme: water, waste, energy, litter, transport, healthy living and school grounds. The idea is to protect all areas of the environment and not just one area such as water or waste.
Schools are encouraged to set up an Eco-Committee involving students, who are directly involved in democratic decision making and future plans and ideas. It is a whole-school and community approach to protecting the environment and everyone gets involved. The programme also promotes citizenship and links closely to the curriculum.
Warwickshire County Council implemented the Eco-Schools programme in November 2004, identifying 15 Warwickshire schools to take part. Much of the work carried out in the Eco-Schools programme can be linked to initiatives already taking place in Warwickshire schools such as the ‘Healthy Schools’ programme and ‘School Travel Plans’.
For the last six months Warwickshire Eco-Schools have been working very hard to improve their environment, and already Birchwood Primary School in Polesworth has been awarded the Eco-Schools bronze award. Other schools are also presently in the process of applying for awards.
County Councillor Martin Heatley, Portfolio Holder for Environment, says: “The Eco-Schools programme in Warwickshire is an exciting new initiative, and the schools involved should be congratulated for the work they are doing. I would like to offer special praise to Birchwood Primary for achieving their award, and in such a short time, which shows the school is committed to protecting the environment.
“As it an international initiative, the Eco-Schools programme means that schools will also have the chance to make contact with students and teachers in other countries, and to learn what they are doing for the environment.
“The Eco-Schools programme will also help educate schools and the community about environmental problems, and will show them that initiatives at local level really can make a difference to their lives. I hope, eventually, that every school in Warwickshire will take part in the programme which will help people to become responsible for their own environment.”
On Wednesday 22 June an Eco-Schools ‘Best Practice’ meeting was held at Rugby High School, attended by teachers throughout the district who are taking part in the programme. The aim of the meeting was to share ideas and to see what other schools are doing within the Eco-Schools programme. The meeting was hosted by Rugby High School which has been taking part for many years, and is the proud holder of two Green Flags.
If you would like to learn more about the Eco-Schools programme for your
children’s school, or would like any more information please contact Barbara Golding, Eco Schools Officer for Warwickshire County Council, Telephone: 01926 418065, Email: barbaragolding@warwickshire.gov.uk. Alternatively visit http://www.eco-schools.org.uk