Edwalton Primary School
Teaching Awards 2009 Winner
The DCSF Award for Sustainable Schools in East Midlands
Edwalton Primary School, NOTTINGHAM
Pupils who attend Edwalton Primary say there is something “just magical” about their school. Its three-acre woodland site gives them the opportunity to experience nature at first hand, and to cultivate their own garden with pride and enthusiasm.
They don’t just have bees, but they also make their own honey and sell it. They keep chickens and hens, and collect and sell their free range eggs. Three of their five pigs are reared for slaughter, teaching them about the life cycle. They also keep rabbits, goats and guinea pigs, which are looked after year-round on a rota basis – even on Christmas Day!
Sustainability is at the heart of everything that happens at Edwalton Primary School, and the school believes it has a role in preparing young people to make the world a better place. Its links with school in Uganda, New Zealand and Spain give pupils a global perspective. It hosts visits from other schools, nurseries and businesses, and is considered a beacon of outstanding profession practice in environment issues. As one staff member said: “These children are our future and if they don’t get the idea of sustainability, then who is going to make the changes we need to support the next generation?”
The school has a sustainability plan, which includes recycling and reducing energy consumption. Leaky pipes have been repaired and new buildings have been erected using sustainable materials. The school’s travel plan group organises regular walk-to-school weeks and promotes cycling. Pupils attend governors’ meetings to inform them of what they have been doing and to request funding or help. They have even roped some of them in to helping with clearing the woodland and putting up fences!
Not surprisingly, Edwalton has recently gained a clutch of awards including its 2nd Green Flag, the Healthy Schools Gold Award and the International School Intermediate award.
One parent said: “I would beat the doors of this school down to get my children in. It is brilliant”, while one of the pupils told judges: “Other schools can only talk about it - we do it”.
Judges said: “This is not a school just paying lip service to sustainability. This is school which lives and breathes sustainability.”
