Latest News
MARCH 2010
►The Warwick Society School Awards programme for Aylesford School
Congratulation to Jessica Savage at Aylesford School for being presented with the above award for work carried out as part of the Eco-Schools Programme. Jessica has been working to increase biodiversity within the school environment’ by tree planting, cultivation of the eco-garden, distribution of bird and hedgehog boxes and fundraising.
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2010
► Congratulations and well done to the following schools for their achieving 2nd Green Flags:
- Myton School, Warwick (Jan 2010)
- Newburgh Primary, Warwick (Feb 2010)
DECEMBER 2009
► Congratulations and well done to the following schools:
- Achieving their 2nd Green Flags: Haselor School, Ilmington Primary.
- Being awarded the 'Green Tree Gold Award' by the Woodland Trust: St Mary's Catholic Primary School in Studley. Go to Nature Detectives for more information.
NOVEMBER 2009
► Congratulations to the following schools who have recently achieved Green Flags:
- Henley in Arden Primary, !st Green Flag, Sept 09
- Emscote Infant, 2nd Green Flag, July 09
- Bilton Junior, 2nd Green Flag, Sep 09
- Harbury Primary, 2nd Green Flag, Sep 09
- Newdigate Primary, 2nd Green Flag, Sep 09
Very well done to you all.
► Switch It Off week 2009 - Starts Monday 9 November - With the Big Switch Off on Friday 13 November from 4.30 - 6.30pm. It will take place across Warwickshire, Coventry and Worcestershire, and encourages schools, busineses and residents to Switch Off non essential appliances which are left on when they're not needed.
OCTOBER 2009
► A programme of Sustainable Schools and Eco-Schools 'Best Practice' meetings are now being held regularly in all areas of the county. The aim is to learn about the sustainable schools programme and how to progress Eco-Schools. There is also the opportunity to share best practice with other schools. Dates of future meetings can be found on: www.warwickshire.gov.uk/ecoschools If you would like to host one of the meetings at your school please contact: Barbara Golding, barbaragolding@warwickshire.gov.uk
SEPTEMBER 2009
►Pupils at St Benedict's RC Primary School in Atherstone have proved their green credentials by being awarded the coveted Eco Green Flag for their recycling programme, and for growing their own produce which is served up for school dinners. Very well done St Benedicts.
AUGUST 2009
► When you return to school after the Summer Holidays please check your schools post for Warwickshire's new 'Sustainable Schools' information leaflet (PDF - 604 KB) which contains a section on recruiting an Energy Champion for your school, as well as environmental posters produced by Henley High, and St Benedicts High School, Alcester.
JULY 2009
► Students from Henley High and St Benedicts High School in Alcester, recently stepped into the world of business when they became 'Eco Consultants' for two days. Puils were given real life problems such as coming up with ideas about what would be required to take on the role of a 'School energy Champion'; thinking up innovative ways to obtain 'Case tudies' from schools, and designing their own clothes from waste materials. View the press release.
Some of the Energy Champion posters produced by the students are now on display in the receptiom area outside Warwick Library for the next three weeks.
JUNE 2009
► Wednesday 24th June saw the National Eco-Schools Show being held at the National Agricultural Centre, Stoneleigh. Schools from all over the country attended, and also as far afield as Denmark.
MAY
► Congratulations to Warwickshire College who have just been awarded the 'Green Gown Award' for the most sustainable UK College. Read more on the Warwickshire College website.
APRIL 2009
► Schools prepare for a Sustainable Future - Warwickshire's Sustainable Schools programme has been launched by carrying out Sustainability Training for school leaders with 24 schools. View the press release.
MARCH 2009
► Kenilworth school have been planning the funding of a wildlife garden and allotment for the school with their Eco-Committee. They have been working with Warwickshire Education Business Partnership looking at locating the funding for the project.
► Studley School are having a week of assemblies covering energy, water and recycling as part of working towards becoming a Sustainable School. Year 7 have created Bob, who has been used in promotional material e.g. Bob says recycle. Year 9 have created a power point presentation of work completed so far e.g. the Wildlife Area and their garden club. They will be using a cartoon film about the 'Energy Family'.
FEBRUARY 2009
► Fairtrade Fortnight is from 23 February - 8th March.
JANUARY 2009
►Sustainable Schools - Warwickshire County Council is now implementing Warwickshire's Sustainable Schools Action Plan/Strategy in line with that of the DCSF who want every school to be fully sustainable. If you would like any help and advice with Sustainable Schools e.g. the 8 Doorways, S3 SEF tool, or want to know how Eco-Schools fits into it, please contact: Barbara Golding who will be pleased to come out and talk/work with you on this: 01926 418065 barbaragolding@warwickshire.gov.uk
►'Best Practice' meetings - new dates for 2009:
- Thursday 22nd January 2009, 4-5.30pm - Newdigate Priimary School, Anderton Road, Bedworth
- Wednesday 4th February 2009, 4-6pm - Kenilworth School, Rouncil Lane, Kenilworth
- Wednesday 11 February, 3.30-5.30pm - Gun Hill Infant School, Coventry
DECEMBER 2008
►Happy Christmas to all Eco-Schools. Thank you very much for all your hard work during the year. I look forward to helping you become a 'Sustainable School' in 2009.
Best Wishes Barbara Golding
NOVEMBER 2008
►Eco-Schools Stationery is now available
Have you ever considered Eco-Schools badges for your action team, or perhaps pencil cases made from recycled tyres? Eco-Schools now have a range of stationery available for purchase including pencil cases, badges, rulers and bags, all of which are branded with the Eco-Schools logo and made from recycled or sustainably produced materials. For a more detailed look at the stationery available including the price list and how to order please go to Eco-Schools Stationery.
OCTOBER 2008
►Sustainable Schools - Resources for schools
For curriculum and other useful materials go to the Sustainable Schools Website.
►Government recommendation on Sustainable Schools
Local authorites are now being asked to rate their performance on how they are supporting schools to become sustainable. This is the latest recommendation by the Government who say that Local Authorities have a critical role in making sustainable communities happen. To do this they have produced a Sustainable Schools self-evaluation tool for local authorities. This sets out national expectations by 2010 - 2020, and is graded on a points scale. For more information contact Barbara Golding email: barbaragolding@warwickshire.gov.uk
►Newburgh Primary
See our latest Eco-Schools Case Study (PDF - 25 KB) from Newburgh Primary School in Warwick.
A year ago the schoool decided to head straight for the top Green Flag award rather than go for bronze or silver. With all credit to them they managed to achieve Green Flag status in October 2007. Since then work has not stopped as everyone is now inspired to look after and care for their environment.
By achieving Green Flag status the school has also achieved one of the main elements in becoming a 'Sustainable School'.
SEPTEMBER 2008
►Bilton School students transform their school grounds
The school is really proud of their new peace garden and within two to three months they have totally transformed the weed filled garden to a colourful eco friendly garden!
Before this the garden was full of weeds and overgrown plants and there was no colour at all. There were large rocks and ugly soil! However, the school council decided this HAD to change. No one wanted to go there, and with people complaining there was hardly anywhere to go at lunch they thought this was the perfect opportunity to get it sorted out!
See Bilton's Case Study on the 'Schools and Case Studies' page
►Eco-Schools Case Studies wanted
We would like to compile as many Eco-Schools Case Studies from as many schools as possible to put on these pages and new pages which are being developed. If you have any pictures, all the better, but remember to get permission to allow students to be shown on the web. Please forward your Case Studies with any permissions to: ecoschools@warwickshire.gov.uk I am attaching a template Case Study for you to use.
If you have any questions or queries tel: Barbara Golding 01926 418065 email: barbaragolding@warwickshire.gov.uk
►All secondary schools
You are invited to take part in 'Universally Challenged', a sustainability quiz which will be taking place at Kenilworth school on the 4th November. Teams of six year eights are required. Winning teams go on to face a Coventry and Worcester school to compete for the Universally Challenged trophy. For further information or to register to take part please email emmaclarke@warwickshire.gov.uk or call 01926 418036
►Eco-Schools 'Best Practice' meetings
Future meetings will be held on the following dates:-
1. Central - No meeting arranged at present
2. South - 23rd September, Haselor Primary School
3. Nuneaton and Bedworth - 25th September, NewdigatePrimary School
4. North Warwickshire - No meeting arranged at present
5. Secondary Schools - 6th November, Myton School
For more information contact Emma Clarke on 01926 418036
►Reducing Energy Use in Schools
From 1 October 2008, schools will be required to display in a public place certificates containing information about energy use. These will be required for all buildings with a floor area of more than 1,000 square metres. DECs are being introduced to raise public awareness of energy use by displaying the actual energy use and energy efficiency of the buildings they visit. This is based on records of gas, electricity and other meter readings or fuel delivery records in the case of oil or solid fuel. Display Energy Certificates (DECs) include an A-G energy rating for the building, similar to those that are required for fridges and many other new white goods. The rating provides an indication of how energy use compares with benchmarks for similar buildings.
DECs can only be produced by accredited energy assessors, but schools can assist in their production by collating meter readings, energy bills and other information on energy use, so that annual consumption can be established or verified.
Information on Display Energy Certificates is available on the "Energy Efficiency and Low Carbon Schools" section of the school buildings website.
The production of DECs will help schools to collate the information required to participate in the Carbon Reduction Commitment: a mandatory emissions trading scheme for large businesses and public sector organisations. Schools will not be be included directly in trading carbon emissions, but will be part of the local authority count. The majority of unitary, county, metropolitan and London borough councils will be included in trading carbon emissions and will be legally required to include in their trading totals the carbon emissions from all state funded schools in their areas (including Academies). The scheme will start in April 2010. Bringing schools into the carbon footprint of local authorities will encourage authorities to support schools to achieve greater energy efficiency, helping schools to save money through reduced energy bills. All an individual school will have to do is to supply information on their annual energy use to the local authority.
Full details of the Carbon Reduction Commitment. For information on Display Energy Certificates at Warwickshire County Council contact: Bill Johnson 01926 476623, Nigel Hardy 01926 414114
►Schools prepare for a Sustainable Future
A new drive is underway to ensure that all of Warwickshire schools are doing their bit in preparing for a sustainable future
Warwickshire County Council’s Eco Schools programme, where school pupils work on practical environmental projects, is taking a huge leap forward following the go ahead for the Sustainable Schools Strategy.
This strategy has been okayed by the council’s Cabinet, and sets out clear targets to make all Warwickshire schools sustainable by 2020.
Cllr Martin Heatley, the county council’s Portfolio for the Environment, said: “73% or 182 of Warwickshire’s schools are already Eco Schools, and this takes them half way towards becoming a sustainable school through projects such as recycling and saving energy.
“The Sustainable Schools Strategy will fill the missing gaps for schools to become sustainable, and involves training headteachers and governors in sustainability. It also involves making sure teachers know how to integrate sustainability into the curriculum, as well as providing the knowledge and resources to help them do this.”
A recent survey of 1,000 Warwickshire households through the Citizens Panel found that 97% of respondents believed “It is important for children to learn about environmental issues”.
Warwickshire’s framework will be implemented alongside the Government’s framework, and in line with initiatives already taking place in Warwickshire schools such as Eco Schools, School Travel Plans and Healthy Schools. Government toolkits will also be used during implementation, and specific tools for Warwickshire schools will also be developed.
Warwickshire’s framework will be implemented alongside the Government’s framework, and in line with initiatives already taking place in Warwickshire schools such as Eco Schools, School Travel Plans and Healthy Schools. Government toolkits will also be used during implementation, and specific tools for Warwickshire schools will also be developed.
A recent survey of 1,000 Warwickshire households through the Citizens Panel found that 97% of respondents believed “It is important for children to learn about environmental issues”.
Warwickshire’s framework will be implemented alongside the Government’s framework, and in line with initiatives already taking place in Warwickshire schools such as Eco Schools, School Travel Plans and Healthy Schools. Government toolkits will also be used during implementation, and specific tools for Warwickshire schools will also be developed.
Warwickshire's Sustainable Schools Strategy (PDF - 248 KB)
►Education for Sustainable Development
“Education for sustainable development enables people to develop the knowledge, values and skills to participate in decisions about the way we do things individually and collectively, both locally and globally, that will improve the quality of life now, without damaging the planet for the future.”
The English National Curriculum, QCA 1999
The Government wants all schools to be Sustainable Schools and has developed a Sustainable Schools Framework and a set of Toolkits to do this. The Framework will be delivered through 8 Doorways (PDF - 45 KB)
