This academic year, we have started to review our environmental performance with the aim of qualifying for an Eco School Award. We will have to look at waste minimisation, energy and water use, transport, healthy living, school grounds and litter.

See the latest news column on the right, for more information on what pupils and staff have been doing since we decided to try for an Eco-school award in November 2004!

In the beginning:
A group of sixth form students and staff made a good start. Some carried out a detailed survey of the way we travel to and from school and the results will help to assess the carbon dioxide released and point to ways to reduce this.
A group of students worked on the school’s energy use and this will continue. Developing a strategy to reduce carbon dioxide emissions is now part of the school’s development plan.

The PTA donated money to create a woodland garden in the area opposite the main entrance and volunteers have given up some of their spare time to start clearing the site, while the Art Department is encouraged pupils to come up with design ideas.

There has been a lot of interest in tackling waste, and a group looked into ways to reduce the throughput of paper in school.

Ongoing Eco-School activities include recycling, energy use, transport to and from school, and healthy lifestyles. If you have any ideas, please speak to Emma Newby, Tom Hyatt or Mr Archer.

Parents, governors and members of the local community have an important role. They have to be involved at all stages if we are to qualify so please get in touch if you would like to help.
Details of the Eco Schools Awards can be found at www.eco-schools.org.uk. You can tell us you are interested by completing the online form (below).

October 2006
Progress Report view here

At the end of the summer term a team of sixth form volunteers worked hard to extend the woodland garden by building stepped paths and they created a new seating area behind the Clark Building. This work was funded through a Green Partnership Award from Lancashire County Council.

Many of the year 10 Duke of Edinburgh Award pupils have worked on preparing ground for sowing wild flowers in the school grounds as well as taking part in community projects, including path clearance in Rawtenstall with Civic Pride and woodland management in Redisher Wood under the supervision of Bury Council’s Local Nature Reserves Officer.

Pupils from Year 11 are working on an energy project, looking into ways to reduce the School’s energy consumption and researching the feasibility of using renewable sources.

The School has been awarded a grant to develop a School Travel Plan and a team is working on this.

Ten bike stands have been installed outside Room 55 and pupils are encouraged to cycle to school, as long as they have a parent’s permission. We strongly encourage the wearing of cycle helmets and high visibility clothing.

Several pupils have made suggestions about the collection of recyclable materials. A group is now organising and extending the collection of waste paper around school. In the near future we hope to run a scheme to collect unwanted mobile phones.

Progress Report
You can view and save the aims of the project and progress report to July 2006, as a Word Document here!

Progress Report to Feb 2005 view here

If you would like a compact copy on recycled paper, email Mr Archer at this address da@brgs.org.uk