What is the Eco Schools Project?
The scheme is rooted in a genuine desire to help children become more effective citizens by encouraging them to take responsibility for the future of their own environment.It is not about environmental excellence, it is about our school starting to look at how it impacts upon the environment, how this is decided upon and how its effect can be managed.
Pupil involvement is a key part of the Eco Schools programme. Having pupils genuinly engaged in the whole process, including monitoring, action planning and decision making, leads to genuine ownership of the programmeand an increase in the pupils sense of responsibility for the school environment and local area.
The Eco Schools programme is also an award scheme that will raise the profile of the school in the wider community. There are three levels of award:
- Bronze award
- Silver award
- Greeen Flag award
Although Marshfield Primary School only joined the scheme in October 2005, we had already come a long way down the environmental road and had many initiatives in place. These have made the school and its grounds 'greener' and a more pleasant place to be. We have recently recieved the silver award and are working towards our Green Flag.
It is important to stress however that the Eco Schools programme and our part in it is much more than merely achieving awards. It is a journey of environmental enlightenment for the pupils of the school which we feel is the important part of any involvement.
In the 2006 - 2007 year the Eco Club commissioned the allotment. a variety of appropriate vegetables and flowers were grown, although it was late in the season for planting. There is a desire to increase the supply of produce this year and perhaps, enjoy the fruits of our labours.
The school achieved the Silver Award, one step away from the Green Flag which we are endeavouring to achieve in the 2007 - 2008 academic year.
Green Flag Award
Marshield have achieved the green flag and it is now flying proudly outside school representing all the hard work the school has put into the Eco school project.