EDF Energy Awards for Greener Schools
The following schools and individuals have been selected by the judging panel as the inaugural winners of the 2009 EDF Energy Awards for Greener Schools, with each school receiving £5,000 to help continue their journey towards sustainability. This factsheet highlights some of the key sustainability initiatives and practices undertaken by the winners:
Birdham CE Primary, Birdham, West Sussex (KS2 Inspirational School)
Thanks to their innovative approach to promoting sustainability, the staff at Birdham CoE Primary School deserve to feel flushed with success. Embracing the principle that ‘seeing is believing’, pupils using the toilet in the school’s dedicated Eco Centre (a specially converted disused classroom) switch on lights powered by microgeneration technologies, flush the toilet using a rain-harvesting system and then wash their hands in water that has been heated by solar thermal energy.
This ‘Going Green To Spend A Penny’ project has not only captured the imagination of the pupils but has helped to spread the sustainability message beyond the school gates. As well as being a Green Flag school, Birdham’s pioneering reputation has seen teachers from a number of local schools visit the Eco Centre and some have even hosted their own lessons on the site which also features an eco-garden and a nature observation post.
Pilling St John's C of E School, Pilling, Lancashire (KS2 Inspirational Class)
Led by inspirational teaching assistant, Katrina Bell, the school’s hard-working Environmental Club has been recognised for their dedication to a range of sustainability projects. One such initiative saw the self-titled ‘Recycle Rangers’ make and sell Christmas gifts created entirely from recycled everyday materials, enabling them to raise funds for the school and inspire the local community through their efforts.
Having also helped to renovate an eco-shed, plant a tree trail and design a bog garden, the club then focused on getting the message across by holding an eco-summit to which they invited local schools to share their ideas and experiences. Visiting teachers reported that the summit galvanized their pupils to share the message further within their own schools.
Neil Fulcher, Mile Oak Primary School, Portslade, Brighton (KS2 Inspirational Teacher)
The huge range of projects inspired by Mr Fulcher include the construction of a pond and dipping platform, the creation of a wildlife area in the school grounds, the introduction of a successful parent/school composting scheme and co-ordination of the school’s cycling programme.
Mr Fulcher has worked hard to encourage staff at Mile Oak to see these outdoor areas as an extension of the classroom. He also produces an environmental newsletter to help engage parents in this important work.
Westfield Sports College, Sothall, Sheffield (KS3 Inspirational Class)
Made up of mainly Year 7 and Year 8 pupils, the Eco Council at Westfield has demonstrated real courage, creativity and perseverance to promote eco-awareness to the college’s older pupils. The council have hosted assemblies to share their experiences, posted anti-litter poems on the school’s bins and even launched a screen-saver competition to spread the environmental message throughout the school. This inclusive approach even sees the pupils leading ‘grumble walks’ around the school grounds to identify other environmental issues they may wish to tackle next.
Students also hold regular meetings with local community groups, police and employers. In February 2009 the school achieved Eco-Schools Silver Award status.
Queen Elizabeth II High School, Peel, Isle of Man (KS3 Inspirational School)
Queen Elizabeth II High School started its journey towards sustainability by tackling issues related to school transport. A ‘hands up’ survey identified the key barriers to leaving the car at home and led to the planting of 4600 trees to offset the carbon emissions generated by the school run. More than 50 Year 7 pupils then tackled the school’s lack of a bike shed by building a cycle storage shelter made from scrap timber and over 200 plastic bottles. News of the pupils’ environmental efforts spread far and wide and resulted in a local radio station broadcasting live from the project.
An activity week, cycling proficiency courses and a cycling club have since seen the bike shed become very well-used, with congestion outside the school noticeably reduced.
The runners up for the awards, who each win £1000 were:
Inspirational Class KS2
Aragon Primary School – Morden, Surrey
Forster Park Primary School – Lewisham, London
Inspirational Class KS3
Fazakerley High School – Fazakerley, Merseyside
St Andrews C of E High School for Boys – Worthing, West Sussex
Inspirational Teacher KS2
St Mary’s Preparatory School – Ms Anne Daniels – Blundellsands, Merseyside
Aragon Primary School – Ms Tracy Riccio - Morden, Surrey
Inspirational School KS2
The Green Way Primary School – Hull, East Yorkshire
Inspirational School KS3
Ringmer Community College – Ringmer, East Sussex
Churston Ferrers Grammar School – Brixham, Devon