School’s Eco Council Secures Eco-Schools Green Flag Status for Town Close

School’s Eco Council secures Eco-Schools Green Flag Status for Town Close

Following a programme of research, planning and action spearheaded by our pupil-led Eco-Council, we are delighted to announce that the School has achieved Eco-Schools Green Flag Status as judged and approved by Eco-Schools.

The Eco-Schools’s programme provides a simple, seven-step framework that empowers young people to make a difference in their school, local community and beyond. Since 1994, millions of young people around the world have worked through the Eco-Schools Seven Steps before being recognised for their efforts with a prestigious Eco-Schools Green Flag.  Schools connect their activities to three or more of the Ten Eco-Schools Topics. These topics break large, global issues like climate change into more manageable and directed themes that prompt young people to consider environmental changes that they can make in their school and everyday lives.

To achieve Green Flag Status, our Eco-Council focused on four specific projects: creating an Environmental Action Plan; undertaking an Environmental Audit; ensuring effective communication of the issues and initiatives by reaching out to the School community through assemblies and posters; and devising a School Eco-Code.  As a result of their research and audit, they opted to look at three particular areas within School: waste, biodiversity and healthy living. In addition, they approached the PTA for funding, directly instigating the purchase of two Green Johannas to reduce food waste that they continue to maintain and manage.

We are incredibly proud of last year’s Eco-Council for setting the standard for future councils and hope that all succeeding pupil representatives will continue to build on their enthusiasm and success. We, also, extend our thanks to Mr Smith, our Head of Geography, for his time, energy and passion in supporting and guiding the children.