Subjects

Intent

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. 

Implementation

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

• Create an Eco-Schools 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-Schools 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 – for example, learning about green energy sources as part of the science curriculum, or discovering biodiversity through local geography activities.  

• 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. 

Impact

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 (achieved in October 2020) and the prestigious Green Flag Award – which we are currently working towards as our long term aim.