Going green in education
From Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, Councillor Ken Meeson on 18 March 2010
‘Look after you planet’ was the lesson of the day for Year 7 students at Lyndon School Humanities College this Monday, 15 March, as they took part in Solihull’s Sustainable Schools event organised by Solihull Council.
The full day of activities included a number of workshops delivered by various charities and organisation including Solihull Council’s Park Rangers, Oxfam, The Co-operative, Severn Trent Water, Hestia Energy Services, Islamic Relief, Peace Child International, Christian Aid and Warwickshire Wildlife Trust.
The activities were designed to get students thinking about environmental responsibility and the effects climate change has on local and international levels. The students learnt about the small changes they can make to their everyday lives to become more environmentally friendly, for example, turning off a light when not in the room and not wasting water.
Teachers and governors from around the borough were also invited to so see how environmental education can be incorporated into the curriculum and taught to students in interesting and innovative ways. They were also able to learn about the Eco-Schools programme and the DCSF Sustainable Schools Framework.
Selina Westwood, Headteacher at Lyndon School Humanities College said: “This has been a really fun and informative event for both pupils and staff. At Lyndon we have successfully incorporated environmental education into our curriculum, with all ages learning about how and why we should look after our planet. Hopefully through these lessons and events like this one, students will take the environmental message beyond school and into their everyday lives. Our students definitely care about this aspect of their lives”.
Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, Councillor Ken Meeson said: “It is really important that children learn about the environment and how they can help create a sustainable future. By having a range of organisations involved students were able to learn from experts about the breadth of environmental issues and the range of ways everyone can make a difference. It has also allowed teachers to see how this subject can be taught in fun and innovative ways.”
For more information on Sustainable Schools please contact Sarah Lardner on 0121 704 6874 or email slardner@solihull.gov.uk.
For media enquiries please contact Olivia White 0121 704 8373
Email: owhite@solihull.gov.uk