Schools prepare for a sustainable future
A new drive is underway to ensure all Warwickshire schools are doing their bit in preparing for a sustainable future.
Warwickshire County Council’s Eco-Schools programme is taking a huge leap forward following the go ahead by the council’s Cabinet to implement Warwickshire’s Sustainable Schools Strategy.
This sets out clear targets to make all schools sustainable by 2020, and puts Warwickshire at the forefront of developing sustainable schools in the West Midlands.
To launch this programme, headteachers, governors and business managers from 24 local schools recently attended training on how to become sustainable at the HTI (Heads, Teachers and Industry) headquarters in Coventry.
St Giles School in Exhall who attended the training said: “Our school is now gushing with enthusiasm and we cannot wait to see St Giles becoming a pioneer in the future of sustainability.
"Warwickshire County Council is clearly committed to seeing their schools make progress in the sustainability agenda, and the course made us realise how important it is and how to take things forward.”
Work is also underway with Sydenham Primary School in Leamington Spa which holds the top Eco-Schools Green Flag award.
The school is piloting the Sustainable Schools programme which includes identifying a sustainability and energy champion, and working with the local community. It also involves making sure sustainability is integrated throughout the curriculum, and is considered in all school practices and management both internal and external to the school.
Cllr Martin Heatley, the county council’s Portfolio Holder for the Environment, said: “It is very important to understand the importance of becoming a Sustainable School, and what it means for the whole community.
“It is not only about looking inward at the sustainable activities of a school, but it is also about realising that actions carried out in schools are mirrored in the community. Therefore we must get it right in schools before we can expect to change people’s attitudes towards more sustainable behaviours.”
Cllr Izzi Seccombe, the county’s Portfolio Holder for Children Young People and Families, said: “Warwickshire County Council is leading by example by supporting schools to become sustainable. This will ensure the county’s actions underpin values such as carbon footprinting which help build a sustainable future for everyone.”
If you would like to know more about the Sustainable Schools programme contact: Barbara Golding at Warwickshire County Council on: 01926 418065 or email: barbaragolding@warwickshire.gov.uk