A SCHOOL in Tilehurst, Reading, has been awarded international accreditation for their environmental efforts just one year after establishing a student-led ‘Eco-Committee’.
Little Heath School has been bestowed Green Flag accreditation, denoting hard work and proactive tackling of climate and environmental issues by the school.
It follows the establishment of an Eco-Committee at the school by students last year, in collaboration with Eco-Schools Coordinator, which conducted an environmental review into the school’s environmental impacts.
This included reviews into the encouragement of biodiversity on school grounds and travel options to and from school.
Following their review, the committee planned a year of action designed to improve the school’s ecological impacts, based on three of Eco-Schools’ ten focus topics: energy, litter, and school grounds.
These included a daily energy-saving hour across the school, programmes to recycle school equipment and glasses, installing a plant-based menu at the school canteen, litter reduction, and tree planting.
The committee is now planning to develop an underused area of the school to provide habitats for wildlife, increase biodiversity and create an outdoor learning space.
The Eco-Committee were supported by Theale-based waste management company, Hubba Ltd, who a waste workshop for students, helped to build a bug hotel and came to present the Green Flag to the Committee, which they funded.
Debbie Bale, Accounts and Sustainability Champion for Hubba, said “Hubba Limited are proud to have played a part in supporting Little Heath School on their inspiring journey to combat waste, increase biodiversity and champion sustainability.
“The Eco Committee and Eco Coordinator, Mrs Saunders have taken a proactive approach in making the school and pupils more environmentally friendly and aware. It has been a pleasure for Hubba to work with the school and we are delighted to present them with the Eco School Green flag symbolising a commitment to a greener, more eco-conscious future.”
Emma Saunders said “I am so proud of the passion and commitment the students in the Eco-Committee have shown over the last year in driving change for the good of our school, the wider community and our planet.
“We have had the opportunity to work with some fantastic organisations and local people who have supported us and championed our students.
“We hope the Green Flag award will act as a springboard for continued change at our school.”
Year 12 student Aaron said “I was excited by the idea of making positive changes in our school, especially since I had never had any opportunities to do sustainability work before.
“I had a lot of ideas on how we could be more sustainable and felt that this was the perfect way to not only suggest them, but to be involved in actually making them happen.”
Eco-Schools England manager Adam Flint said: “The Eco-Schools Green Flag award is an internationally recognised symbol of high environmental standards.
“The pupils and school staff that earn the award deserve immense credit for their hard work, determination, and creativity.
“Their passion for protecting our planet is an inspiration to us all.”
Eco-Schools was established in 1994, with more than a million pupils attending an Eco-School in England last year.
More information about Little Heath’s commitments to environmental sustainability are available via: littleheath.org.uk/ecoschools
