Woodroffe School, Dorset
The school achieved their Eco-Schools Bronze Award in February 2007 and are hoping to achieve their first Green Flag this year.
Projects
Paper-recycling was the school's first project, helped by the purchase of a paper compactor. Further to this, the school have 54 solar panels, which provide a powerful visual symbol of the school’s commitment to green issues; a wind-powered pc; two environmental action teams (EAT), one consisting of teachers and the other of students; regular paper and cardboard waste collections; an environmental code; an annual Big Green Day; and closer involvement with the community.
What the school found easy to do
Frequent assemblies on green issues, displaying the environmental code prominently in every classroom, and articles in the school’s newsletter ‘Rough Notes’ have led to a rise in knowledge and commitment across the school. The core of involvement comes from the Environmental Action Teams, but the whole school is involved via assemblies, the Big Green Day and citizenship lessons.
Convincing students of the need to move towards sustainability was easy and Staff and Governors came on board quickly. In-school activities such as the creation of the EAT code were easy. Staffing costs have been minimal because a committed team of staff have thrown themselves into the project. There are occasional costs – e.g. a day for the teacher writing the action plan - and some hidden costs.
The Student EAT team meet weekly with two staff at lunchtime and occasionally after school, and the Big Green Day took a lot of organizing. Some of the work has been done within Environmental Studies examination classes.
Problems encountered along the way
The real problems came when the school tried to engage local services. Getting waste collected proved difficult and initially it seemed paper and cardboard would only be collected if the school paid for it. Changing waste company solved this problem, however when the school started compacting their paper and cardboard the company refused to collect it saying they did not cater for compacted waste. Eventually an agreement was reached, but the school still have to pay.
The appointment of an Environmental Officer to Dorset District Council made applying for the solar panel grant more straightforward but it was still not easy. The school initially planned to go for a wind turbine but were told they had the wrong kind of wind!
The benefits to the school community include:
- A real sense of working together towards a common goal
- Increased awareness of environmental issues both locally and globally
- An increased sense of purpose for students following the Citizenship course
- A positive image of the school in the community, especially amongst young people
- Closer links with the local community
- A feeling of being part of a global movement
- Empowerment of students who are encouraged to believe that they can really make a difference to the environment in which they live
In the community
In terms of community activities, the school was asked to get involved with the Turn Lyme Green campaign. Year 10 designed the logo for the campaign, which can now be seen on posters and recyclable bags all over the area.
Support
A grant was awarded through the DTi (Low Carbon Buildings Programme) for the solar panels
For further information on Woodroffe School, read the full case study here.
Thomas Alleyne’s High School
The School has just been awarded its fourth and permanent green flag award with Eco-Schools for its commitment to sustainable activities within the school. The school applied for the green flag award as a motivational tool for the pupils and in recognition of the hard work they have done on environmental issues for many years, prior to joining Eco-Schools.
Impacts
The school found that the Eco-Schools program benefited the whole school through improved school environmental facilities as well as general school appearance; and encouraged constant learning and discovery amongst pupils, and teaching and non-teaching staff.
Support
The school funded their environmental activities through additional partners such as:
- Two green grants from the local authority
- Donations from the town council
- Donations from the local residents association
- Awards for All Lottery funding
- Work with both Staffordshire and Derbyshire Wildlife Trusts
For further information on Thomas Alleyne's High School, read the full case study here.
Twycross House School
The aim of the project was to improve their neglected school pond, install an oxygenating pump to improve the water quality and renovate the general area around the pool. This, in turn, would create a wildlife area where grass would be allowed to grow and wild flowers encouraged, as it was felt that the pond was an under-used resource for the school and the local wildlife.
Problems encountered along the way
The school had some difficulties due to the distance from the pond to the nearest mains supply, installing solar-powered pumps as a solution to this problem.
Impacts
The area has been of benefit to both the school and local wildlife, and provides a greater use of school grounds. The area is used in curricular activities including biology, science, maths and geography. It also provides a pleasant area to sit, read or relax at lunch breaks. It is expected that there will be a greater improvement in biodiversity in the wider school grounds as the marginal meadow areas develop.
Support
To fund this, the school successfully applied to the Currys ‘Switched on Communities’ Programme for funds amounting to £915.84 to purchase the solar panels. The schools’ Environmental Group initiated the redevelopment, with many teachers and pupils becoming actively involved in clearing and dredging the lower pond area, implementing safety measures, and the careful installation of the solar panels.
Clare Brine, Community Affairs Manager for Currys states the clear advantages of the new program: “As well as teaching the children about nature, the pond with its new solar powered pump will teach the children about saving energy”.
For further information on Twycross House School, read the full case study here.
Myton School, Warwickshire
This Green Flag school has launched many successful initiatives including:
- Eco club - Carrying out and continuing to develop a number of small environmental projects
- Recycling –The school recycles a number of items including paper, cardboard, cartridges and mobile phones, which can often generate a small profit for the club
- Composting - The Schools collects kitchen waste and departmental waste for its compost bin
- Organic Garden - The school was awarded £900 worth of funding for an organic garden at the school from Eco Schools. Produce from the garden is taken to the staff room and sold in order to generate a small income. It is hoped that in the future enough produce will be generated to give to the kitchen staff to use
- Communication - Pupils, staff and parents are all communicated to in regards to environmental issues through a variety of sources, such as the eco club newsletter. Information is often sent home through a sibling system which ensures only one child in every family receives a letter which cuts down on the amount of paper used. A large amount of information is also placed on the schools website and noticeboard
- Woodland Area - The school put in a successful bid for £500 with the tree council, who offered trees at a subsidised cost and provided members of staff to help plant them; where both aesthetically pleasing and woodland trees were planted. The woodland is used by the eco club and teaching groups. When established there will be an area for people to sit and may be eventually used as an educational tool.
- Charity Work - Every year pupils have been involved in raising money for there chosen charity which in previous years has been done through attending a walk for WWF
The school has noticed many benefits from the award. It has been a good opportunity to raise environmental issues to both pupils and parents; the recycling project has had the greatest environmental impact, on both the output of recycling at school and at home.
For further information on Myton School, read the full case study here.
Crowton Christ Church CE Primary School
The school had already worked hard to gain the bronze and silver awards, and were eager to work towards the Green Flag, as the school community as a whole are very passionate about prohibiting the disastrous effects of climate change. The school, like others with the award, initiated an ‘Eco Club’ which grew in numbers, firstly with pupils, staff, governors, local residents and eventually a local councillor.
A school governor initiated a gardening club, in which a rotated group of four children from the Eco Club are involved, giving all a fair chance to participate. The school also successfully carries out water surveys to target the children who use the most water, to help them in reducing their daily usage of unnecessary water. The Eco Club works to maintain the garden, with the school kitchen using what they can, in order to reduce the amount of purchased and wasted food, which must be transported, and may not be organic.
Impacts
The children have become more aware of saving energy as the school community, as a whole, is trying to monitor the use of electricity and oil. Being a Green Flag Eco-School, the school is able to use their status to attract positive media attention and help from external individuals and organisations. The school has been successful in environmental competitions, with this resulting in benefits and awards for the school, such as 15% off a Focus greenhouse.
Support
Organisations such as the Groundwork Trust and Streetwise Team have been helpful, supplying the school with various seeds for the school garden. The local Council assisted with the ‘Walk to School Week.’
Read further information in the full case study here.
ImpactsFor further information on Eco Schools, including case studies on other schools taking part, visit the Eco-Schools UK websiteFurther case studies will appear here shortly - please visit this page again soon