Worcestershire Success Story

A Special Eco-School

What's it all about?

In March 2002, Chadsgrove School at Bromsgrove reapplied for and regained its Eco Schools Status.  In March 2000 the School became the second special school in Worcestershire - and only the 17th in the entire country - to gain Eco-School status awarded by EnCams, (previously the Tidy Britain Group).  It did so by introducing a series of recycling measures.  Every possible scrap of waste paper and card ends up in a skip outside the building, while empty aluminium drinks cans, tin foil and plastic rings from beer and petfood cans are collected by the 109 pupils who have a range of physical disabilities.  The foil and cans earn £15 a term towards school funds and the plastic rings raise money for a wildlife animal hospital.  Some of the children also go round the school making sure lights are not left on unnecessarily - even checking the office of head teacher, Richard Aust!

At the same time, the school grounds are being made more environmentally friendly.  A 200 metre-long hedge has been laid, and is now providing nesting places for birds, and hundreds of bulbs, trees and shrubs have been planted by the children.

A sensory maze has also been created in the grounds with brightly coloured and heavily perfumed plants which can be enjoyed by children with visual impairment.

Who's involved?

More or less everyone.  The projects have been led by Gill Clerici, the head of science and co-ordinator of environmental education, with the help of a committee of staff and older children. Pupils' parents are also involved because they send paper, cans and foil fromhome.  Even the man from the Post Office over the road dumps his waste paper in the schoolskip.  "It is a real community resource and also teaches the children about theenvironment," says Gill.

Where next?

More than 40 schools in the County have so far gained Eco-School Status and many more are following their lead.  So far 120 of the County's schools have signed up to the programme.

Want to know more?

To find out how Chadsgrove did it, contact Gill Clerici at the school on 01527 871511.

For further general information about the Eco Schools scheme, contact Stephen Pickering on 01905 728513