Welcome to our Eco-Schools page
The Government in England wants every school to be a sustainable school by 2020. The Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) launched their Sustainable Schools Framework in 2006 when the Secretary of State for Education, the Rt Hon Alan Johnson MP set out challenging long-term aspirations for schools to mainstream learning about sustainable development issues and sustainable practices into everyday school life.
Eco-Schools is an international award programme that guides schools on their sustainable journey, providing a framework to help embed these principles into the heart of school life.
Joining the Eco-Schools programme is free and it makes tackling sustainable issues manageable and easy for all schools, whether they are children’s centres, nurseries, primary schools, secondary schools or schools with special status.
Once registered, schools follow a simple seven-step process which helps them to address a variety of environmental themes, ranging from litter and waste to healthy living and biodiversity.
Children are the driving force behind Eco-Schools – they lead the eco-committee and help carry out an audit to assess the environmental performance of their school. Through consultation with the rest of the school and the wider community it is the pupils that decide which environmental themes they want to address and how they are going to do it. Measuring and monitoring is an integral part of the Eco-Schools programme, providing schools with all the evidence they need to really shout about their environmental success.
Schools work towards gaining one of three awards – Bronze, Silver and the prestigious Green Flag award, which symbolises excellence in the field of environmental activity.
We're really proud to announce that we have just achieved the Bronze and Silver Award which means we are well on the way along our path to a sustainable school.
Generation Green
You might have seen the advert on the TV. It's a scheme for schools run by British Gas. The basic idea is that the school is given a 'leaf goal'. When they have reached their goal, by doing lots of eco-projects and other green activities, they can exchange their leaves for rewards such as water butts and solar panels.
You can help us reach our leaf target by visiting the Generation Green site and completing a simple energy audit.
Here's the link: Generation Green
What have we done so far?
We have developed a working group, which comprises of a group of children, a parent and Mrs Gibbins. They have conducted a simple environmental survey which have highlighed two areas for developement: water and energy conservation. This has led to the formulation of an action plan. Water saving devices have been installed in the toilet cisterns and we will soon be purchasing water butts to collect rain water for the watering of internal and external plants.
The action plan has been shared with the staff and will shortly be made available to the wider community.
There is a dedicated Eco- after school club. They are exploring energy saving methods and will be producing leaflets and posters to be displayed at school and sent home in order to spread the message! They will also be making a short documentary film about our Eco-campain, which when finished, will be available to view through this page.
We already recycle paper and card and have composting bins for other biodegradable waste, meaning we are litter free!. We are addressing biodiversity issues through the development of our fantastic wildlife garden and our links with Barnsley Biodiversity Trust.
We have recently gratefully received a number of bird boxes, hedgehog houses, bat boxes and bee boxes from Barnsley Biodiversity Trust - a HUGE THANK YOU FROM THE WHOLE SCHOOL COMMUNITY!
Again, thanks to Barnsley Biodiversity Trust and member Dave Allan, we have a pond! It's already teeming with life and will soon be used by the pupils to study eco-systems and mini-beasts!
Our frantic LET'S GROW collecting has been very worth while! We recently received a bumper load of goodies from Morrisons - so MANY THANKS TO ALL OF YOU WHO HELPED WITH OUR COLLECTION!
We're proud of our achievements but know we've got lots to do still - any support will be GREATLY appreciated! Please contact Mrs Gibbins if you'd like to get involved!
In the meantime have a look at our fab garden ( which now has a hedgehog living in it!)
Our rotting wood pile provides habitats for lots of creepy crawlies and hedgehogs! Notice the seating - all made from recycled wood! |
Fab parents helping prepare this area for the 'Great Pond Dig' |
 |
These lads are hard at work lugging top soil. They did a fantastic job! |
This flower bed was designed with butterflies and bumblebees in mind - it's grown a huge amount since this photo was taken - come and have a look! |
 |
NATURE TABLES
Children love nature, so why not bring some of the outdoors inside?
We how have a lovely Nature Table. It's bright and interesting and has been organised and maintained by Gill Tyler. She has also provided a Nature Diary which is available for anyone who wants to share their thoughts and feelings about the world around us.
Please feel free to come and have a look - you can contribute to the table if you like!
This is our Spring Table
 |
