Junior School & Nursery wins Eco School Award

Churcher’s College Junior School & Nursery have successfully achieved their Bronze ‘Eco School Award’, by creating and carrying out an action plan to make the school as environmentally conscious as possible. They are now actively working towards the next award level of Silver.

Plastic Pollution

For the past year, the school’s pupil-led Eco Council have focused on plastic pollution. They collected finished toothpaste tubes and pens though the Terracycle scheme, with a further plan to start recycling batteries in the near future. Last year they also did their best to raise awareness of plastic film recycling offered with carrier bags at supermarkets.  

Plastic-free snack time 

The biggest achievement this term so far is that the school is now plastic-free at snack times! The children now must all bring snacks to school which do not use single-use plastic in any way.  The children have truly embraced this, arriving at school with creative snack ideas, such as beeswax wraps and traditional brown paper bags.  

Twitter

The school has been increasing their eco twitter messaging by using the hashtag:  #churchersecowarriors on their @ChurchersJunior channel and will be posting about eco swaps and advice to spread the eco message.

Gardening Club and ‘Rewilding’

They have spent some of their eco budget on bulbs and pollinating plants to increase biodiversity within the school grounds.  Gardening Club has recently planted approximately 50 extra bulbs – all plants which pollinating insects will enjoy. They also have a rather grand bug hotel planned and hope to go on lots of bug hunts and pond dipping in Gardening Club to make the most of our natural environment all around us.  

Greenhouse

The school also has a brand new Parents’ Association-funded wooden greenhouse on the way which is going to be in place by the end of January 2020.  Gardening Club will aim to focus on utilising this and helping to further increase biodiversity around the school by growing plants flowering plants and other items from seeds.  The school will also ensure that as many pupils as possible have an opportunity to grow vegetables and be at one with nature!

Looking Ahead

The school’s Eco Council meet once a week and look forward to sharing more about all the positive eco actions and projects they are undertaking.