Support for schools

Ideas and case studies 

Looking for some ideas of environmental projects to do at your school?  We've listed some ideas below, along with some case studies of schools that have implemented them. 

Nature:

• Planting wildflowers on your school grounds to help support pollinators.
• Growing potted plants like herbs for use in cooking or teaching about growing.
• Planting trees to support lots of wildlife and help to capture carbon from the atmosphere - the Council can help provide help for you to do this.

Waste:

• Setting up recycling bins to collect paper/card, plastic pots, bottles and food waste - food waste could also be composted.
• Reducing use of single-use plastics e.g. plastic bottles, straws.

Energy and water:

• Explore the installation of solar PV and battery systems to help power your schools with renewable energy.
• Install water butts on your site to use for watering plants, saving the use of water from taps.
• Assign pupils to be energy and water monitors, to check energy and water using devices are turned off when not in use.

Travel:

• Use the Council’s air quality schools toolkit to learn about air quality and how travel to and from school impacts on this.
• Update or create a school travel plan using support from Essex County Council to ensure staff and students are encouraged and supported to travel to school in more active, sustainable ways where possible.

Food:

• Grow your own produce like salads, vegetables and fruit that can be used in cooking – this reduces food miles and use of packaging.
• Run Meat Free Mondays (or have several meat free days) for school dinners, to support staff and students to eat more environmentally friendly diets.

Case studies 

Kendal Primary School

Kendal have a pond on school grounds, supporting aquatic wildlife and running pond dipping sessions so children can learn about these organisms.  

This complements the vast amount of work the school has done on creating a forest school and outdoor learning opportunities for students.

Kendal are also offering the Level 3 Learning Beyond The Classroom qualification for other schools.

Stanway Fiveways Primary School

Stanway Fiveways have worked with The Ink Bin to recycle ink cartridges used at school and in the home.

An ink bin has been put into the local Co-Op store for anyone to recycle or refill their ink cartridges.

The funds raised from this recycling will go to the school’s Eco Council to spend on green initiatives at the school. 

Home Farm Primary School

Home Farm have installed a bike shelter at the school, providing lots of space for students to store thier bikes securely whilst protecting them from wind and rain.