Barnham pupils fly flag for their environment

The light monitoring in empty rooms ensured Barnham Primary School achieved the Eco Schools’ Green Flag status for the third time.

The coveted standard is only awarded to schools who show environmental work in topics such as litter, saving water, waste management, recycling and biodiversity.

Among those who have helped to keep the Elm Grove school improving is eco council member Emily Hammond.

The eight-year-old is among those who check to ensure lights are not burning unnecessarily and water bottles are not being filled needlessly.

She said: “We don’t want to waste water or electricity.

“If we do, one day a teacher will go to turn on the light and there will not be any power.”

The eco council members also read the meters to monitor the amount of energy being consumed.

Headteacher Julie Hodgson said: “We are very proud of this award as it reinforces our school ethos of sustainability.

“The work of our eco council – which includes pupils, governors, staff and parents – has contributed to our school becoming a more stimulating place to learn.

“It also reduces the environmental impact of the whole school on the local and wider community.”

Barnham Primary School earned its first Green Flag in 2007 and repeated its success two years ago.

The hat-trick was achieved after an independent assessor recently visited the school.

Each renewal is only granted after the school has shown it is increasing its ‘green’ awareness compared to the previous award.

The school’s next target is to increase the biodiversity of its grounds and to use them for education as well as enjoyment.

But the project will be carried out for the first time without the hard work and dedication of school governor Judy Haig.

She has committed time and effort into developing the school grounds and inspiring pupils and staff on eco issues.

She has retired as a school governor this year and stood down as the eco council’s co-ordinator with the thanks of staff and pupils for all her hard work.