Sustainable Eco Schools

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The following is intended to give you a broad summary of the current and main resources available and what they are for. If you have further questions please call Matthew Howell-Hughes on the contact number below.

Many schools across the UK are working towards becoming sustainable by 2020. This may sound quite a long way off but measures to achieve this need to be put in place now. Some schools are well on their way to becoming sustainable before 2020

Dates for Kingston

23 Sept 2011 Junior EcoSTARS Annual Conference at Main Guildhall.

Two to four year 6 primary school pupils are invited to represent their school as road safety and sustainability officers across academic year 2011-2012.

The focus areas for the Junior EcoSTARS are Road Safety, Walking & Cycling, Saving Energy & Water and Healthy Food.

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Above are theJunior EcoSTARS of academic year 2010-11.

A big congratulations to GRAND AVENUE’s Junior EcoSTARS. Well done for all your hard work and winning the fantastic video bird box prize

Also, a big well done to ST AGATHA’s Junior EcoSTARS for coming a very close second place!

Finally three schools we thought should get highly commended are Malden Manor, St Joseph’s and St Lukes!

What Does ‘Sustainable Development’ Mean?

"…development that meets the needs of the current generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs"

(Source: Brundtland Commission 1987)

Why Become Sustainable?

A sustainbale school can

• save money
• save energy and reduce carbon dioxide emissions
• improve health
• improve fitness and emotional well being
• contribute significantly to local, social and environmental aims

As adults we must take responsibility and enable children and young people to understand the challenges they may face in the future.

Kingston Schools 'Growing Food' Guide

The easy to follow guide from Kingston's schools that are really making a difference with growing their own!

This guide was developed in conjunction with School Food Matters and can elevate your school growing projects to 'good -outstanding' and also greatly assist your school towards achieving Silver Eco School status.

Eco-Schools Award

If you have not already registered with Eco-schools then go to the their web link at the bottom of this page

Once you have registered, your school will then be in a position to start the bronze eco-school award application.

Useful First Steps:-

1 -Form an eco/green team

           Two teachers, the site manager and a group of keen students is a good place to start.

2- Conduct an environmental review

           You may find that the students' perspective of their school environment can be quite different from the staff. The Eco-Schools website has a comprehensive template you can use, or email Matt Howell-Hughes for a copy (see below).

3 - Then draw up your action plan with the students

           the two coordinating teachers usually have additional actions to the main action plan.

Kingston Eco Schools Status

Primary Schools

• Green Flag status
• St.John's Primary (4th)
• Fern Hill Primary
• St.Mary's Primary
• Silver Award
• Burlington Junior
• Malden Parochial
• St.Andrew's & St.Marks
• St.Paul's Junior
• Tolworth Girls

Secondary Schools

• Silver Award
• Holy Cross Girls School
• Coombe Boys
• Bronze Award
• Tiffin Girls Schools
• Kingston Grammar

Ofsted

Ofsted are always interested to see environment and sustainability activities.

For the 2009 Ofsted report, on how well schools can do when they have embedded sustainability into whole school operations, download the pdf below.

Energy, Carbon Emissions and the Carbon Trust

The benefits of energy management in school:

1. Saves energy
2. Improvement of environmental performance
3. Improvement of comfort conditions
4. Reduction of other costs - equipment last longer when operated efficiently
5. Education opportunities

(for more practical help on achieving the above areas, then download 'A Whole School Approach' below)

The Carbon Trust commission free energy audits in any school that has an annual energy bill of £50,000 or more. The report they produce has far more detail than your DEC* report on how you can save energy at your school

Kingston Schools that have already benefited from a Carbon Trust free energy audit are:-

1. Chessington Community College
2. Coombe Boys
3. Hollyfield School
4. Holy Cross Girls

*Display Energy Certificate (usually located in the school foyer)

Contact us:

For further information on environmental sustainability, eco-schools, saving energy and the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme please contact:

Matthew Howell-Hughes
RBK Communications Officer
Tel: 020 8547 5002
Email: Matthew.Howell-Hughes@rbk.kingston.gov.uk