Schools urged to enter environmental awards

Schools in the Shropshire Council area are being encouraged to apply for this year’s Shropshire Sustainable Schools Award.

The award celebrates schools’ efforts to improve their school environment and to engage pupils with environmental issues.

The prize fund for the 2011 award is £1,750, with £1,000 going to the winning school, £500 to the second place school and £250 to the third place school.

The closing date for applications is 13 May 2011 with the winner due to be announced in late June or early July 2011.

Launched in 2010, the Sustainable Schools Award aims to celebrate schools’ efforts to become ‘sustainable schools’ and recognise innovative work and activity carried out in school.

It aims to recognise the work carried out in Shropshire schools, as part of the Sustainable Schools Framework.

The 2010 award winners were Cleobury Mortimer Primary School and Shifnal Primary School, who won £750 each, and the runners-up were Bishop Hooper Primary School and Bishop’s Castle Community College, each winning £250.

Changes made by the schools focused on improving school grounds; understanding more about food origins and healthy eating; creating healthier lifestyles; using less water and energy; using alternative forms of energy; producing less waste, and improving recycling.

These schools have invested their prize money in a range of sustainability projects in the school grounds and buildings.

Aggie Caesar-Homden, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for children and young people’s services, said:

“Sustainability is something which is very important to schools across Shropshire.  I would like to encourage schools to apply for this award to celebrate the fantastic projects I know they are doing in school.”

Ruth Hudson, sustainability officer with Shropshire Council said:

“If a school is actively involved with any projects such as improving school grounds, understanding more about food origins and healthy eating; creating healthier lifestyles, using less water and energy using alternative forms of energy, producing less waste and improving recycling then we encourage them to apply for this award.”

The Shropshire Sustainable Schools Award was launched in 2010, replacing the Mike Sprackling Award but remaining in memory of Mike, a previous energy officer at Shropshire County Council who helped schools to make significant savings in their energy demand.

For more information or to apply for this award please contact Ruth Hudson on 01743 252577 or email sustainability@shropshire.gov.uk.