Schools prepare for a sustainable future
A new drive is underway to ensure that all of Warwickshire schools are doing their bit in preparing for a sustainable future.
Warwickshire County Council’s Eco Schools programme, where school pupils work on practical environmental projects, is taking a huge leap forward following the go ahead for the Sustainable Schools Strategy.
This strategy has been okayed by the council’s Cabinet, and sets out clear targets to make all Warwickshire schools sustainable by 2020.
Cllr Martin Heatley, the county council’s Portfolio for the Environment, said: “73% or 182 of Warwickshire’s schools are already Eco Schools, and this takes them half way towards becoming a sustainable school through projects such as recycling and saving energy.
“The Sustainable Schools Strategy will fill the missing gaps for schools to become sustainable, and involves training headteachers and governors in sustainability. It also involves making sure teachers know how to integrate sustainability into the curriculum, as well as providing the knowledge and resources to help them do this.”
A recent survey of 1,000 Warwickshire households through the Citizens Panel found that 97% of respondents believed “It is important for children to learn about environmental issues”.
Warwickshire’s framework will be implemented alongside the Government’s framework, and in line with initiatives already taking place in Warwickshire schools such as Eco Schools, School Travel Plans and Healthy Schools. Government toolkits will also be used during implementation, and specific tools for Warwickshire schools will also be developed.