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Eco Schools Network Minutes 22-11-05
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Minutes of Stafford Borough Eco-Schools' Network Meeting
Held on 22nd November 2005 at Weston Road High School
1. Present: Jane Heginbotham: SBC Local Agenda 21
Regina Monteiro: SBC Local Agenda 21
Rosemary Connolly: SBC Local Agenda 21
Jo Perry: Staffordshire Wildlife Trust
Kate Edgecombe: St Andrews Primary School
Marie Proctor: Flash Ley Primary School
Julie Smith: St Michaels Primary School, Stone.
Maggie Whitehouse: Weston Road High School
Allan Watson: Walton Hall Working Farm School
2. Apologies: Carole Steptoe, Silkmore Primary School
Richard West, Penkridge Middle School
Margaret Prince, St. Peters, Hixon
Margaret Corp, St Leonards First School, Dunston
3. ECO-SCHOOLS UPDATE FROM JANE HEGINBOTHAM.
Farm training days: Farming and Countryside Education (FACE) held a twilight meeting for teachers earlier in the year who were involved with the Food Links project. 3 or 4 teachers attended, and it helped them prepare for the farm visits. Similar meetings will be arranged before future farm visits. Contact Brian Hainsworth for information, email: brian@face-online.org.uk, mobile: 07762 083452
Recycling of aluminium cans: Jane H reported that she had been in touch with the Staffs County Council. SCC said that Aluminium Packaging Recycling Organisation (Alupro) promotes aluminium can recycling in schools but there have been a series of practical problems that has prohibited this in Stafford.
Maggie Whitehouse said that whilst cans are not officially allowed in secondary schools a collection facility is needed with payment on collection by a recycling company, however this had not been possible.
Marie Proctor also stated that whilst canned drinks are not allowed in her primary school they did have a collection point.
It was reported that schools could take their cans to J. and S. Metals in Stafford (01785 242058 ) and Trigg Brothers in Rugeley (01889 576887).
JH to raise the matter again when a recycling officer has been appointed at Staffordshire County Council (Jayne Paynter left earlier in the year).
National Eco-schools www.eco-schools.org.uk: Jane H reported that in future National Eco-schools would no longer be sending out paper information packs, registration forms and updates. All new registrations would be via the internet and schools already registered would need to access the site to re-register as this would not be done automatically.
At present only 12 schools have registered on the Web in Stafford.
Kate Edgecombe, Julie Smith and Maggie Whitehouse reported that their schools had done so.
Jane H asked whether anybody had any ideas to encourage schools to register on the Web who are not already eco-schools. At present there are 37 schools on Jane's list 34 of which are eco-schools.
Maggie Whitehouse suggested mailing all the schools.
JH to add request for schools to register to minutes mailing again.
National Eco-schools Conference: This will take place on 23rd November in Birmingham. Derek Golland from the County Council will be speaking as a representative of the local authority and talking about their approach to Eco-schools.
Jane H asked if anybody had any questions they wished her to raise at the conference.
JH to feedback any useful information at the next meeting. See end of minutes.
Flour and Grain Education Programme (FAGEP): A free resource (CD and worksheets) for schools on the subject of healthy eating, cooking skills and kitchen hygiene, for Key Stage 1 and 2, curriculum linked and can be accessed via the website, www.flourandgrain.com. This could link in usefully with the Farm School Link education pack produced by LA21 in the past and sent to all primary schools.
The UK Launch Conference for the Decade of Education for Sustainable Development: this takes place on 13th December 2005 in London. Marie Proctor stated that this was too short notice, and asked where such information could be accessed in advance to give more notice.
JH to e-mail conference details to those with email addresses as soon as she receives them in the future and would also try and attend relevant conferences herself to enable some feedback.
Stafford Borough Council Green Awards: Julie Smith's school (St. Michaels, Stone) was congratulated in coming second place in the Youth, Community and Education Category.
Jane H asked whether it was felt the schools had enough notice. Marie Proctor reported that she had. Maybe a good time to start thinking about next year's awards and for eco-school committees to start gathering information!!
Maggie Whitehouse asked for an explanation on what the award was actually for as it was not clear whether it was for being 'new green' or 'on-going green.'
Julie explained that they had won it for promoting green travel to school. Rosemary Connolly explained that the entry form was quite straightforward to fill in and highlighted areas that needed to be considered in submitting an entry.
Jane encouraged all schools to enter next year.
Back 2 Bikes: Jane H asked if any leaflets were required to publicise this as it was nearing Christmas and people may be looking for inexpensive children's bikes to buy as Christmas presents.
Stafford Area Fairtrade Guide: Jane highlighted the new guide and offered copies for school representatives to take.
Maggie Whitehouse mentioned that Weston Road High School had held a Fairtrade day and invited Geoff and Ruth Parsons (01785 815275) who sell Fairtrade goods into the school. The event had been held in the library, but she was looking for a different venue within the school before holding a Christmas Fairtrade day. The Co-op had kindly donated £25 worth of vouchers for Fairtrade produce. Jane mentioned that the Co-op also support Fairtrade events organised by Stafford Borough Council. Fairtrade Fortnight next year is 6th-19th March. There will be a Fairtrade Fun Day on 11thMarch at the Farmers' Market in Stafford Market Square and a Fairtrade running team for the Half Marathon and Fun Run on 26th March. Parents, children and staff all welcome to get involved and promote fair trade! (Contact Sebastian Pearce, LA21 on 01785 619408)
Walking for Health-Active Steps to Learning: Jane explained that this was a pack specifically designed for schools under the Walking for Health initiative and consisted of a step-counter pack containing 32 counters and lesson plans at a cost of £230. Phone 'Be-Active Ltd': 01202 888508.
The Great Vegetable Challenge: Jane explained that this was a competition to encouraging primary schools to design a new vegetable plot or improve an existing one and was based on a Wallace and Grommit theme. The first prize is £2500. The competition details have already been sent out and the closing date is 16th December 2005. To get an application form, you have to register on the web site at: www.teachernet.gov.uk/growingschools/news/competition/category.cfm?id=11
Courses for Teachers at Bishops Wood Centre: courses are starting again in January and focus on 'how to improve your school grounds and 'incorporating the outdoors in teaching.' Details were sent out to schools with Eco-Watch in October. Phone Bishops Wood on 01299 250513 or for a specific course: 01905 740125
Staffordshire's Eco-Schools Network a success!
Jane explained that she had received an e-mail from a student who was doing a dissertation on Eco-Schools and was wondering why there were so many Eco-Schools in Staffordshire and so many awards!
The teachers present felt that one reason was that they were very well supported by the Local Agenda 21 team, especially Karen Davies and Sam Pickles (who has now left) as they offered constructive feedback and encouraged networking and pooling ideas as a group which made it easier.
Maggie Whitehouse and Marie Proctor in comparison both felt that the national office was not particularly supportive as it was constantly being re-organised, the staff were always changing and were not encouraging. Jo Proctor said that different areas receive different local levels of support and that this emphasised the importance of networking.
JH to feed back to student.
Other issues raised
Maggie Whitehouse mentioned that her school was interested in using solar panels but it seemed a very expensive option. It was suggested that she visit the Wildlife Trust to see how they had achieved it.
Julie Smith mentioned that she had managed to obtain some green 'Safeway' boxes to use for recycling after the store had changed to Morrisons. Maggie Whitehouse said that she was having difficulty finding such items for free.
Regina Monteiro suggested that surplus SBC household recycling boxes could be used. Marie Proctor reported that these are strictly for households only so she has an extra one at home for the recycling she collects at the school. Various other solutions were suggested such as using cardboard boxes and painting them green -2 would be required for each classroom. However Maggie stated that cardboard boxes posed a sizing problem as she had to make sure that when full of paper pupils would be able to safely move them. Kate Edgecombe asked Maggie if her school was involved in recycling at the moment. Maggie stated that they recycled paper and cardboard.
Ashden Awards for Sustainable Energy www.ashdenawards.org
Jane H. outlined the basis of this new award to promote the use of green energy in UK schools. First prize: £15000; 2nd prize: £5000. Closing date: 30th January 2006. She acknowledged that schools were undertaking most of the sustainability initiatives necessary for the award except the use of renewable energy within the school premises. Jane suggested that this was an award to consider in the future for any school able to adopt renewable energy.
A general discussion on the use of renewable energy in schools followed. There was general agreement that schools were finding it difficult to access renewable energy as costs of installing the required equipment and changing heating systems was prohibitive. In view of the Government targeting this initiative Marie Proctor asked whether there were any specific grants available as incentives, otherwise the only alternative was to wait until the heating system had to be changed due to age or breakdown.
Jane H. mentioned Clear Skies that will provide 50% funding for renewable energy projects although this only runs until the end of March 2006. It will be replaced with a low carbon building initiative based on buildings (including schools) using a mixture of renewable sources. Jo Proctor outlined how the Staffordshire Wildlife Trust Wolseley Centre had succeeded in installing photovoltaic rays with funding from the Energy Savings Trust, the Local Strategic Partnership for Cannock Chase Council and Schott UK and prize money awarded to them as previous winners of Stafford BC Green Awards. She reported that during the summer the system had produced excess electricity, the surplus being sold back to the National Grid to which they were still connected. However Jo acknowledged that to install a solar water heating system was an expensive option as it would make total refurbishment necessary.
As the Centre is a demonstration site people are more than welcome to go and look at it.
Maggie Whitehouse said that she felt the way schools were designed reduced their energy efficiency.
Marie Proctor stated that she believed that the Government was not being serious in promoting sustainability and renewable energy in schools as there were no new regulations enforcing them to be incorporated into new school buildings.
JH: to action investigating how viable renewable energy initiatives are for schools and whether there are any grants available.
Also to send copy of all grant schemes available to Maggie Whitehouse.
St Leonards, Dunston will be erecting a wind turbine soon
It would be great to have a renewable energy project in a Stafford Borough School! Please get in touch with Jane 01785 619676
4. ECO-WATCH NEWSLETTER: FEEDBACK FROM TEACHERS/PUPILS.
Feedback was generally positive. Maggie Whitehouse felt that it was only suitable for year 7 in secondary schools and 20 copies would be sufficient. Jane H. explained that it was geared to primary schools anyway and that she had sent 30 copies to each.
Jane H. also suggested that news from individual schools would make interesting reading and this could be sent via her e-mail address.
la21@staffordbc.gov.uk for the spring edition in March 06 (by February 14th please).
5.FEEDBACK FROM SCHOOL PROJECTS.
Weston Road High School: Fairtrade initiative as described above. Maggie reported they are also trying to increase the number of Fairtrade products they sell in the school tuckshop on a regular basis. The headmaster is supportive in projects.
The bulbs were planted but the project had been delayed due to ill-health so there was some doubt as to how successful the outcome would be.
St. Andrew Primary School: Kate reported that the bulb planting day had been great fun. They had tried to take part in the Gardeners World Bulb planting scheme but the limited supply of the required bulbs had run out so it had not been possible. The school had applied to be an eco-school.
Flash Ley Primary School:
Marie stated that the bulb planting had not taken place due to ill health, but they had had a successful harvest from the vegetable plot. A school governor was coming in to assist the children in the following week. The children had been asked for ideas on how to make the playground more eco-friendly. The eco-committee had sent a delegation to the head with the ideas.
Marie also reported that they were hoping to get hedging to go around wildlife areas and install bee and bird boxes.
St. Michaels, Stone:
Julie reported that they had a polytunnel, planted vegetable seeds and had cooking and tasting sessions.
They had also joined the Royal Horticultural Society and Garden Organic (HDRA). **** Freebie seeds and info cards from RHS when you join! **** http://www.rhs.org.uk/learning/education/schoolscheme.asp A gardening club met on Wednesdays.
Another initiative was to ask parents to donate money so that each class could purchase its own fruit tree to create an orchard.
Parents had also been generally very supportive.
Walton Hall Working Farm School:
Allan reported that the school has a gardening club and polytunnel. They had a conservation area but at present it could not be accessed, as the trees were dangerous.
He also stated that the 42 acre site has potential but it is a listed site so there has been some delay due to negotiations with Stafford Borough Council as to exactly how the land can be used.
They have a Live Nativity Week for which tickets can be purchased; it is open to everyone. 250 have been sold already.
Allan also stated that they recycle everything. It is only the fencing on the farm that is not 'green.'
The bulb planting was a success.
He would generally like to encourage other schools to visit the farm.
6. ECO-ACTION DAY PLANNING:
Regina Monteiro and Jane H. had a number of questions to ask which resulted in the following decisions/ agreements:
· Staffordshire wildlife Trust would be happy to help with the workshops and provide materials eg. For making birdfeeders, minibeast boxes.
· 3 workshops were needed
· 2 theatres were needed- Momo theatre would be one of them
· It would be possible to do similar activities as in previous years as different children would be attending.
· Age range would be 5-11
· Date: 24th March 2006.
· Limit of 100 children: 8-10 per school.
· £2.00 per child.
· SWT would invoice Agenda 21 Team for any overheads incurred.
· Maggie would like to be involved and would ask two children from her school to help.
· A mascot competition would be held for children to design a mascot representative of the eco-schools concept (derived from a Swedish tradition). The winner would be announced on the day and the mascot would be passed from school to school throughout the year to help remind pupils of the importance of being eco-friendly.
Please see enclosed poster regarding the mascot designing competition!
We will be sending out more information about the Eco-Action Day shortly.
A meeting was arranged between Jo Perry and the Local Agenda 21 team for Monday 28th November 2005 at 11.00 am at the Wolseley Centre.
MEETING CLOSED: 5.40PM.
NEXT MEETING: 26TH JANUARY 2006 4.15PM at Weston Road High School
Everyone Welcome!!!
****************** STOP PRESS ******************
Cash for second-hand textiles from schools
Staffordshire Textiles
One of the runners up companies at the Green Awards offers a recycling opportunity for all sorts of textiles (curtains, bed linen, clothes, shoes) and also bric-a-brac which is given to charity.
- The company collects the textiles from schools for free
- Pays the school per tonne of textiles that they collect
- A donation is made to the County Air Ambulance Service.
- Bags can be provided for free for children to take home to collect items.
- Collections of loose clothes and shoes piled indoors can be arranged.
CONTACTS: Please get in touch with Jane at LA21 (01785 619676) for more details or Liz Poole at Staffordshire Textiles (01889 270932) to arrange a visit to the school or discuss collection and price details.
ECO-SCHOOL POSSIBILITIES: The scheme could be used for eco-school awards evidence of recycling/waste minimization as the collections would be weighed. This could be extended to competitions between schools for the largest amount collected.
***************** STOP PRESS ******************
National Eco-Schools Meeting
The meeting included some very inspirational speakers (unfortunately Derrick G from Staffordshire County Council was unable to speak after all, due to illness)
A speaker from DfES spoke about the governments commitment to Education for Sustainable Development.
· The National Framework for Sustainable Schools consultation is due to take place in Feb 2006. Watch this space! It will look at the following:
· Roles of those at all levels, government, LAs and schools.
· Web Portal
· Self assessment for pre OFSTED inspection
· Indicators - how to measure success
Speakers from Worcestershire and Kent County Councils provided examples of how they work with Eco-Schools, including the following points:
· County Council energy managers and architects attend district Eco-School meetings as part of their climate change strategy. This has encouraged some schools to draw up their own carbon management plans.
· Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) officers provide a 'pre-assessment' before the schools go for the Green Flag Award.
· ESD officers provide simple resources for schools such as a directory of support with contact numbers etc and a spreadsheet to show what each school is doing in the area.
· They stressed the need to collect data to see what is good practise and to assess the environmental impact.
a. Weighing rubbish/recycling and recording
b. Reading meters and recording figures
c. County Council Energy Team have the previous energy bills for schools and new software allows schools to see what they're using and compare, 'take ownership.'
· County Council got WRAP involved in giving compost advice to schools.
· County Council 'Education Development Plan' includes Eco-Schools.
· They advocated the 'Whole School Approach' where everyone was involved with Eco-Schools aims, and there was training for all including teachers, dinner ladies and governors.
· Award-winning schools are used to encourage other schools to try for awards and talk at meetings etc.
· Kent Energy Centre did feasibility studies for renewable energy use in some schools.
· A link was established with older children doing the Duke of Edinburgh scheme where they helped out with practical environmental tasks in schools.
Encams provided results of their research into the benefits to schools of having the Green Flag award. In short they reported that almost all of the Eco-School Coordinators surveyed said that achieving the Green Flag award improved their school overall; benefiting the children (increasing confidence and self-motivation) and the school (reducing energy bills and waste) in many ways.
... and finally
If you haven't already done so, please re-register on the Eco-Schools website!
We want everyone in the country to know how many Eco-Schools we have in the Stafford Borough area and how many awards you have all achieved!!
For more information on Eco-schools contact the LA21 team, Tel: 01785 619408
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