A Cumbrian school’s determination to tackle environmental issues has put them on course for a top national award. Cockermouth School has been shortlisted for the National Bursars Association ‘Eco’ award.
The school successfully met each of the Bursar’s criteria including:
•producing an Eco Plan and sharing it throughout the school;
•illustrating that environmental issues have been covered within curriculum work throughout the school;
•creating a climate that supports sustainability and this has been communicated to the school and the pupils; and
•recognising the importance of sustainable development within the school environment and the wider community.
In June 2007 the school formed an Environment Committee comprising pupils, support staff, teachers, governors, external agencies and a county council recycling officer who developed an Environmental Action Plan. This encouraged the school community to become involved in good practices that save energy, recycle more waste products, reduce waste and enhance biodiversity in the school grounds and the local area which has evolved into a code of practice.
Enterprise days, assemblies, extended services and curricula topics all keep environmental issues a top priority for pupils and these have benefited all areas of the curriculum which cover aspects of environmental education.
The school’s enthusiasm to address environmental issues and raise understanding of sustainability with pupils has been complemented by their Mike Wilde Eco Centre. This was developed as a result of a government grant as part of the former Department for Education and Skills £10m initiative Teaching Environments for the Future, which aims to create dynamic teaching spaces to support new teaching and learning methods. The grant of £1.3m was awarded to Cockermouth School through Cumbria County Council for the development of the project, which was considered the most exciting and innovative in the national scheme.
The Eco Centre building has been operational for two years and is sustainable in design, using a wide variety of recycled materials in its construction. It is used extensively by the pupils and staff at the school for a variety of different subjects. The project was the vision of former headteacher Mike Wilde who died in August 2007.
Deputy Head, Gail Harris and Development Manager, Joan Ellis have been invited to attend the Awards Dinner at the Merchant Taylors’ Hall in London on Saturday 4 October 2008 where the winners will be announced. Also attending is Dawn Boyes who has been nominated for a ‘Sue Simcock’ Award by her predecessor school Menzies High School and Science College, West Midlands. Dawn was appointed as Cockermouth School’s new Business Manager in April and will attend the ceremony alongside her colleagues.
John Swainston, Head of Schools and Learning, Cumbria County Council says "We are delighted that the school’s environmental awareness has been recognised nationally and the benefits this is having on the curriculum throughout the school. We wish Cockermouth School the best of luck and hope they come back from the ceremony with the much deserved Eco award."
Notes
The National Bursars Association is the country's leading professional group of Bursars and administrators for all schools and provides professional support to its members and seeks to enhance the effectiveness of the schools in which its members serve. For more details of the award visit the National Bursars Association website: http://www.nba.org.uk/ (external link)
For further information please contact
Joan Ellis, Development Manager, Cockermouth School Telephone: 01900 325940
ENDS
Media enquiries to Media Officer Paul Bell on 01228 226337.