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The Ecotricity Green Schools Eco-Innovation Award in association with Randstad Education
Winner St Hubert’s Catholic Primary School
“St Hubert’s Eco-Team and Network Project”
Headteacher: Clare McNally
Sponsored by Ecotricity
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Beth Marley (centre) is presented with The Ecotricity Green Schools Eco-Innovation Award by Rob Davies (Randstad Education) and Esther Rantzen CBE.
Following an audit of learning styles at the school it was found that pupils with an interest in nature and the environment were not catered for. As a result the school decided to set up an Eco-Team.
The work carried out by the Eco-Team comes from ideas the pupils raise through a suggestion box, pupil surveys and school council meetings. Staff, parents and community officers are also actively involved. The Learning Network the school established came from an idea jointly developed with the local authority to raise awareness of environmental issues.
The school applied for a variety of awards and audited their progress against the success criteria. Criteria which weren’t met would then be included in the annual School Improvement Plan. A similar approach was adapted to the Network project with an action plan being drawn up with clear outcomes.
The Eco-Team has been established since 2003 and the Network Project ran for 12 months ending in July last year. Regarding the Network Project, a proposal was put together for the Local Authority who then secured funding for the initiative. Schools in the area were then contacted to explain the project, how it would be organised, its benefits and expected outcomes.
All the schools involved in the network went on to set up an Eco-committee and achieved the Sustainable Development Award. In addition to this, several schools were awarded the Green Flag and others are currently working towards it.
Finalists
Pannal Primary School – Harrogate, North Yorkshire
Headteacher: Jane Turner
“Wind Turbine”
Foyle View School – Derry, Northern Ireland
Principal: Dr Michael Dobbins
“The Playtrail”
St John’s Primary School – Stoke on Trent
Headteacher: Diana Higton
“Eco Club”
