Introduction
At Roberts Primary School, the approach to eco schools work echoes the aims of the school and encourages all pupils to develop positive attitudes towards energy saving and the environment. All pupils are encouraged to participate in energy and environmental projects through the activities of the Eco-School Committee and Gardening Club. This approach ensures all pupils have an appreciation of how they can personally save energy and are equipped with the knowledge and expertise to continue their energy saving activities for the rest of their lives.
The award winning Environment Zone is also located at Roberts Primary School and compliments the Eco Schools activities.
What was involved
Every year, a new Eco School Committee is formed by inviting pupils from all age groups to get involved. The members of the Eco School Committee take an active role in the planning and organisation of the annual cycle of eco schools activity that includes energy monitoring and recycling activities and other school activities (gardening club, eco-picnic, NDLP Sustainable Schools Conference).
Energy Saving Activity
The main thrust of energy saving activity consist of pupil energy monitors conducting regular audits to turn off lights, projectors and computers in rooms that are not occupied to help reduce the schools energy bills. Posters designed by pupils are displayed and assemblies also focus on these matters. The Eco-Council also publishes a newsletter for pupils and parents about school activities and concerns.
Gardening Club
The gardening club learn about how energy can be saved through the cultivation of fresh produce in the school grounds. A 24 tree orchard that contains British varieties apples, plums, pears, quince and greengages will be planted in December 2011. It is planned to add varieties of soft fruit such as raspberries and strawberries in the spring of 2012. The orchard will be used to communicate that where we source our food from can save energy through reducing the energy required to transport food from where it is grown to the place of consumption.
Outcomes
The school were awarded their first Eco Schools Green Flag by Keep Britain Tidy in 2009 and were re-awarded the Green Flag in July 2011 as a formal acknowledgement of their energy saving achievements. http://www.keepbritaintidy.org/ecoschools/school?id=11596
