Pupils at Swanmore College have once again been awarded a prestigious Eco-Schools’ Green Flag
This academic year, the Eco Champions group have once again received international accreditation for their exceptional work in promoting sustainability and raising environmental awareness amongst their peers. This year they managed to achieve the Green Flag at merit level!
The Eco-Schools programme, established in 1994, is now implemented in over 70 countries worldwide. In 2023-24, more than 1.4 million pupils attended an Eco-School in England. The programme follows a tried-and-trusted seven-step framework, that encourages young people to explore a variety of environmental issues before spearheading environmental action in their school and local community.
Since Swanmore College first engaged with the Eco-Schools’ programme in 2022, accomplishments have included the improvement of on-site biodiversity with the addition of bird boxes, feeders and a bug hotel, as well as more environmental issues being covered across the various subject curriculums.
This year, pupils impressively built on these achievements by focusing on 3 key issues: Litter, Global Citizenship and Biodiversity. The Eco-Committee then successfully delivered a diverse range of activities including planting to encourage bees and butterflies, the year 7 Climate Action Day and the planning of the tutor group litter pick rota that is starting imminently.
Speaking about their achievements, Eco-Coordinator Miss Massey said, "Our Eco Champions group worked hard to identify focus areas for the college to improve on and then plan and implement projects. Last year we also joined the Hampshire Eco Conference, held at Winchester College, and gained many great ideas from the visiting speakers to inspire our future projects too. We were particularly impressed with the work of The Final Straw Foundation and the work they do across the Solent area to reduce reliance on single-use plastics."
Eco-Schools England Manager, Adam Flint, said: "The Eco-Schools’ Green Flag is an international benchmark that demonstrates a commitment to fighting climate change and a high standard of sustainable practice. Students and staff who earn this award deserve recognition for their dedication toward protecting our planet. Every day, they demonstrate that each of us can contribute to making our planet a better, more sustainable, place."
To learn more about Eco-Schools head to www.eco-schools.org.uk