Green Flag and certificate received!

We are pleased to announce that we have finally received a Green Flag and a certificate after having been awarded a coveted Eco-Schools Green Flag.

Our SEN Tutor and Curriculum Coordinator, Charlotte Jackson, and her Eco-Committee have earned an international accreditation during the previous academic year, recognising their amazing work in making Treloar’s more environmentally friendly and raising eco-awareness in fellow students. 

Eco-Schools is an international education programme that prompts young people to explore sustainability and climate change and take action. 

Our students collaborated with Charlotte to conduct an environmental review, assessing how eco-friendly Treloar’s is. They reviewed everything from recycling practices to energy usage, to how environmental themes are covered in classrooms. Building on their findings, Charlotte together with the students planned a year of activities that would up their green credentials. 

The group connected their work to three Eco-Schools topics: 

• Recycling: with the aim to reduce the amount of waste thrown away in classrooms by providing the awareness and means for recycling. Students completed a survey of the facilities the college has for recycling, ordered and ensured each classroom had appropriate bins, and that each class encouraged recycling and reusing
• Energy: to raise awareness of different energy sources and their effect on the environment and reduce unnecessary energy consumption. Several students attended a local COP 26 Event, and all classes took part in a Treloar’s Earth Hour where we avoided using non-essential equipment. Each class also identified a way to ensure computers and lights were switched off at the end of the day.
• Waste: to raise awareness of waste and in particular the use of single use plastics. The students took part in the Planet Earth Games and completed a range of challenges, took part in community litter picks and stopped the use of single use plastic bottles on offsite trips.

Charlotte stated: “Students have a greater awareness of how, if we all make a small change, it can make a big impact. Working towards our Eco Schools Flag has also encouraged teaching staff to consider how eco initiatives can be embedded throughout our curriculum and into the students’ local communities. The students worked together to create their own Eco Code.”

Treloar’s student, Ben, said: “I learnt a lot being a member of the Eco Council. I was a voice for my class. I went on some community litter picks, and it was great working with local groups like ACAN. I will always remember what I found on the litter pick!”

Eco-Schools England Manager, Adam Flint, said: “Earning an Eco-Schools Green Flag Award takes passion, commitment and a desire to make a difference. Pupils should be proud of their great work. They’re an inspiration and it makes us feel heartened and positive about the future of our planet.”

To learn more about Eco-Schools head to www.eco-schools.org.uk