Hampshire Development Education Centre, Winchester (now Centre for Global Awareness)
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School-focused Outcomes
What has been happening in participating schools as a result of the project?
Halterworth Primary School
Have examined whole school curriculum map, and have adjusted planning to incorporate issues of sustainability to fit in with existing units. E.g. A Year 3 river topic for geography will now include investigation of water as a resource and Year 5 have adapted a geography St Lucia unit of work to include and address issue of fair trade A ‘green group' has been established. Children have been surveying energy use around the school, leading to decisions about what needs to be done next (by the ‘green group' and throughout the school). During Fairtrade week children ran selling and taster sessions for children and parents. Recycling has been introduced, and composting has been increased. The school has been working on a greater awareness of other places (in all year groups) with a focus on recognising and describing similarities before key differences. There is also a whole school focus on drama to address general need for greater empathy.
St Matthews Primary School
Have just ordered a recycling bin and a compost bin. The children have begun an audit of power being used within the school with the hope that they will be able to reduce this figure. ‘The Green Team' meets regularly will be in charge of recycling, composting and reducing power used in school. The school has recently started working with Recycle for Hampshire and are measuring the waste they create. They have created a vegetable patch at the rear of the KS2 classes (KS1 to follow after grounds development). The children are currently growing: radishes, tomatoes, lettuce, beans(many varieties), leeks. The children are starting to feel as though they are the ones that can make a difference. I have had a number of children come and tell me that they are telling their parents what they can recycle, use less power, etc.
Farnborough Grange Nursery Infant Community school & EYC
This school has been involved in ESD for over 10 years. However joining the project has given them new impetus. Over the last year they have: Have re-written the whole curriculum with greater emphasis on the Global Dimension. This has been extended to development of resources and CPD. There has been increased involvement of School Council within the local community, introduction of a budget of £200, which the School Council decide how to spend, and development of thinking hats in meetings. Creation of more opportunities for the ‘Energy Team' for measuring impact, as well as monitoring resources. Curriculum resources and citizenship boxes have been developed as a result of RRR/ESD work and Citizenship CPD at Winchester University.
Kings Worthy Primary School
ESD elements have been written into Year 2/3 & 3/4 medium term planning for DT (designing a healthy snack, improving the environment), Geography (Africa, water) for the summer term. Year 2/3 & 3/4 have planted an ‘arid garden' with plants that need less water. Years 1-4 are growing own fruit and vegetables in pots in class and in tyre gardens. Year R are composting fruit waste from snacks. A member of staff attended a composting workshop and 3 more composting bins should be arriving soon to expand the project. The school is planning awareness raising sessions with School Council representatives, who will take issues back to their classes, discuss the issues in class council and decide how they will move forwards, reporting back to school council on progress. Year 2/3 & 3/4 are working on a baseline measure of recycling. Class 6 looked at the story of Milo & the Magical Stones & the issues raised by the book, then presented an assembly to the whole school & their parents on ‘reduce, reuse, repair, recycle' issues, including Fair Trade. Year 2/3 & 3/4 have been looking at access to water around the world & who controls this as part of their geography work. Year 2/3 have looked at the countries of origin of different foods and discussed Fairtrade issues and food miles. Year 2/3 ‘joined the chain' as part of the Global Campaign for Education.
Springfield School (Secondary)
Pupils doing an energy audit. Energy ambassadors who check computers are logged off at the end of the day. Naming and shaming of teachers. Did meter readings in February and will repeat half way through the year. Two groups were planning to follow Viola recycling lorries to see what happens to waste, take photographs and follow up with an assembly. Each time a light bulb goes, caretaker will replace it with a low energy bulb. Neighbourhood Forum has been set up to involve local community Hoping to share work with primary schools in Summer. There was a problem with south facing block in school which reaches 29c in summer. Architects have agreed to put in new film-covered windows and air-cooling system, avoiding the need for air-conditioning.
Local newspaper story
A group of students at Springfield Secondary School in Drayton are on a mission to make their school more environmentally friendly. Their aim is to reduce the school's carbon footprint and share their ideas with other local schools. First on the agenda is replacing light bulbs and windows with energy saving alternatives, and putting sensors in the toilets so lights are only on when people are around. Every light switch in the school will have a sticker on reminding students and teachers to turn lights off. The group of students will also patrol the school to ensure the energy saving measures are being met. A community improvement partnership grant will fund the plans. Pupil Richard Hedges, 16, of Down End, Drayton, was the eco-mastermind behind the project. He said: 'I'm very interested in the environment and think we should all do our bit to save energy and money. 'It's surprising how many young students want to help too - it's very promising.' Joanna Holden, 15, of Breacon Avenue, Drayton, is also a student involved in the project. She said: 'I find it worrying to think about what could happen if we don't start making changes, that's why I got involved. 'I think people have the option to save energy but choose not to as they're used to routines and don't want change.' Assistant headteacher Mr Lomas is helping the group of students by facilitating their ideas and guiding them to realistic solutions. He said: 'Richard and Joanna are excellent leaders for the project. The year sevens involved look up to them. 'We hope the project will continue as the younger pupils move through the school, maturing and advising other students on ways to save energy. For Richard and Joanna, their campaign goes far beyond the school gates. Both make a conscious effort to use the minimal amount of energy required at home. Joanna said: 'My family practically live in darkness when I'm around because I'm always turning off the lights.' Meanwhile Richard's father, Roland, 46, said: 'Richard keeps us on our toes, reminding us of our responsibilities to the environment.'
Website: www.hampshiredec.org.uk
