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WEPS Achieve the Eco-Schools Green Flag!

West Ewell Primary School are delighted to announce that we have achieved the prestigious Eco-Schools Green Flag - an internationally recognised award for excellence in environmental action and learning. Thank you to the Eco-Schools Co-ordinator, Mrs Blythen and the team of 'Eco Warriors' - the pupil representation across each class in the school, for their commitment to raising environmental awareness and making a positive impact on the wider community.

Commitment to the Eco Schools programme is rewarded through three levels of Eco Schools Logo award, being the first level Bronze Award – which West Ewell Primary School achieved in March 2020, the mid-level Silver Award – which we achieved in September 2020, and the prestigious Green Flag Award – which we achieved, in January 2021.

Eco-Schools Community Litter Pick - Sunday 20^th March 2022

A big thank you to the families who gave up their time on a sunny Sunday morning to come along and support our Eco-Schools community litter pick. Lots of litter was found and collected – seven black bin bags in total. Thank you to Eco-Schools Co-ordinator, Mrs Blythen, and Debbi Gorman from the PSA, for organising and running the event.

We hope to host another community litter pick in the Summer Term.

Eco Schools Litter Pick March 2022

ECO SCHOOLS AT WEST EWELL PRIMARY SCHOOL

The Eco Schools programme is pupil-led, involving hands-on learning that gets the whole school and the wider community involved in exciting environmental projects. It empowers pupils to lead change within their school and have a positive impact in their wider community. Pupils of all ages and abilities are encouraged to work together to develop their knowledge and environmental awareness. Positive impacts on pupils can include increased confidence, development of leaderships skills, improved pupil well-being and behaviour and greater motivation at school.

The Eco Schools Programme can be broken down into ten topic areas which are, in alphabetical order: Biodiversity, Energy, Global Citizenship, Healthy Living, Litter, Marine, School Grounds, Transport, Waste and Water.

West Ewell Primary School are currently working through the seven steps to Eco Schools success! The Seven steps are as follows:

Create an Eco-Committee, with representation from each class across the school and involving other staff members and adults within the school community (e.g. parents and carers). Committee members to meet regularly, at least once per half term.
The Eco Schools Committee carry out an Environmental Review, with focus on the ten topic areas detailed above.
The Eco-Committee create an Action Plan to prioritise areas of concern and focus on specific activities, following the environmental review.
Links to be made between the activities detailed within the action plan and the specific areas of the national curriculum in which the activities will best fit.
The whole school and the wider community to be kept regularly updated on activities and progress, with detail on how they can get involved. For example, through school newsletter and website updates, assemblies and during Eco-Committee led class feedback sessions.
Activities to be monitored and evaluated to measure change and discover what works and what doesn’t. Activities to be updated and amended as relevant.
Create an ongoing Eco code mission statement, which demonstrates the school’s commitment to improving its environmental performance.

Commitment to the Eco Schools programme is rewarded through three levels of awards, being the first level Bronze Award – which West Ewell Primary School achieved in March 2020, the mid-level Silver Award – which we are now currently working towards, and the prestigious Green Flag Award – which is our long term aim.

A representative from each class forms our Eco-Schools committee.

Eco Warriors are currently:

A representative from each class forms our Eco-Schools committee. Eco Warriors for the academic year of 2021-2022 are:

Oliver F (Apple), Lucas (Oak), Michael (Cherry), Darcey (Maple), Niall (Holly), George (Sycamore), Travis (Willow), Jeremiah (Rowan), Mya (Larch), Elena and Oscar (Poplar), Aaliya (Spruce), Ashley (Eucalyptus), Henry (Aspen), Daniel (Blackthorn), Finlay (Magnolia), Sienna (Laburnum), Jamie (Silver Birch), Harrison (Wisteria) and Laura (Rowan Hub).

The committee last met on Monday 23^rd May 2022. We completed the school's Environmental Review, by meeting with staff members who helped us to answer some of the questions. Our Premises Manager, CC, showed us our energy meters and we took readings ourselves. He also informed us that the Bourne Academy Trust are in charge of disposing of our electronic waste, and that he had located water leaks that are currently being fixed. We then met with our canteen staff, who showed us that they are supplied with sustainably sourced fish and that the local council dispose of our food waste. We also evaluated the Environmental Review and found our strongest area to be supporting biodiversity. Our area to improve focuses on Marine safety and what we can do to help prevent ocean pollution. You can find our meeting minutes and our Environmental survey in the section below.

Es display The committee have an Eco-Schools display in a prominent position in the main building. The display allows the committee to share with the rest of the school what they have achieved so far and what they plan to do next. It also has a ‘suggestions’ area, where children and adults are able to share their ideas. Should you wish to share an idea with the committee, then please do send it to the Eco Schools Coordinator, Mrs Blythen, by email: blythenc@west-ewell.surrey.sch.uk using the subject title of “Eco Schools suggestion”. Many thanks.