This academic year, Laxton Junior School (LJS) have once again received international accreditation for our exceptional work in promoting sustainability and raising environmental awareness amongst the community.
The Eco-Schools programme, established in 1994, is now implemented in over 70 countries worldwide. In 2023-24, more than 1.4 million pupils attended an Eco-School in England. The programme follows a tried-and-trusted seven-step framework, that encourages young people to explore a variety of environmental issues before spearheading environmental action in their school and local community.
Since we have first engaged with the Eco-Schools’ programme in 2022, accomplishments have included implementing an ‘Eco Team’ of pupils who acted as ambassadors for the School, enforcing environmentally aware actions from turning unused lights off, to sowing wildflower seeds along the school borders.
This year, our children impressively built on these achievements by focusing on 3 key issues: energy, healthy living and water. The Eco Team then successfully delivered a diverse range of activities and projects which included: leading the way in the Great House Litter Pick Challenge, cleaning up the School’s bike shed, designing and planning a new vegetable garden for the School grounds, and hosting an energy-free school day on Earth Day, resulting in £30 of electricity being saved! Pupils also took part in Walk to School Week and Sustainability has been woven throughout the learning curriculum and is always included in our Outdoor Learning Days.
Speaking about their achievements Head of Sustainability at LJS, Mr Simon Marsden, said:
“Achieving this award is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our pupils. At LJS, we are deeply committed to developing our children into caring, global contributors, and fostering a sense of environmental responsibility is a key part of that mission. Seeing our children take initiative and passionately work towards sustainable practices shows us that we’re building not just knowledgeable pupils, but conscientious future leaders.”
Eco-Schools England Manager, Adam Flint, said:
‘The Eco-Schools’ Green Flag is an international benchmark that demonstrates a commitment to fighting climate change and high standard of sustainable practice. Students and staff who earn this award deserve recognition for their dedication toward protecting our planet. Every day, they demonstrate that each of us can contribute to making our planet a better, more sustainable, place.’
To learn more about Eco-Schools head to www.eco-schools.org.uk
