We had already worked hard to gain the bronze and silver awards, so the green flag was a natural progression – and the children were very eager! To gain any award is an exciting event for primary school children, but our children, and myself are rather passionate about helping and protecting our world.
The Eco-Team
We now have a very strong team - which includes Key Stage 2 children, staff and other outside organisations. We began by copying our School Council. It helped greatly that I (Mrs Loonie) am also the teacher in charge of this. I “cribbed” the School Council minutes and agenda formats and just substituted “Eco Club” where School Council had been. That was in the early days. We then grew in numbers, firstly with pupils, then a governor and local resident. Eventually we got our new Caretaker on board and another governor who is also a local Councillor.
Outside Support
Outside organisations have been very helpful. Our local Groundwork Trust became involved as did the Vale Royal Re-cycling team. Our County Council have a really good Transport department and they are helping us with a Walk to School Week. Emma Edwards (Cheshire County Council) came and did 2 crucial Audits for us – she was very helpful. Mr Thorne, our retired local community member collated and prepared our Action Plan. We now have a sub-committee, which meets every half term. The nitty gritty stuff is completed by the children - when we meet every other Wednesday after school. Mrs Devereux (a governor) takes the gardening club during this time – a group of 4 children from the Eco Club (which we rotate) so all get a chance! I have found it difficult to organise and keep up with all the paperwork involved – I just wish the government would give teachers some funding or paid time so that a better, less rushed, outcome could be achieved!
Successes and Lessons Learned
We have had many successes and some failures. I think the biggest success was bringing to the attention of Cheshire County Council and Parliament that our school, because it is classed as a business, does not have any recycling boxes or pick ups. We have a paper skip but the children and I take empty cans and glass down to the local pub which has a recycling centre. The plastic waste I take to the local supermarket – but I have stopped now as I discovered that it was the wrong sort! Our children have become more aware of saving energy as we are trying to monitor the use of electricity and oil. We have carried out water surveys – the summer months seem a better time to target children with drinking water etc. Our school garden has seen many successes and a few failures – our cauliflowers went a bit mouldy after last summer’s heavy rainfall. Our school cook tries to use as much of our produce as she is allowed to. Local media have been ok but I don’t think they truly appreciate exactly what sustainability is.
Funding
Groundwork Trust are giving us £100 . We have entered various competitions – 15 per cent off a Focus greenhouse! The local council have given us various seeds, as have the Streetwise Team. Simon Harding a local businessman has been helpful as has our local Mill. We did get information about funding for a new boiler, solar panels and a wind turbine but the forms are horrendously long and complicated to fill out. BTVC have provided the workforce to improve our school grounds laying hedging and pathways.
I would like to be able to take more time to support our school's progress towards sustainability. The government’s PE initiative allows my fellow PE Coordinators time to attend courses and complete forms and data concerning their area of expertise. Perhaps they should realise that without a healthy planet, healthy children will not be able to exist. It makes sense to give Eco-Coordinators more paid time to develop themselves for the good of their school.
For Further information please contact Mrs J E Loonie at Crowton Christ Church school, Cheshire.
| Green Flag: | 1,179 |
| Silver: | 3,924 |
| Bronze: | 4,646 |
