'Eco school' can wave green flag (From Basingstoke Gazette)
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'Eco school' can wave green flag
4:00pm Wednesday 7th April 2010 in News By Emily Roberts, Chief Reporter
Basingstoke MP Maria Miller with pupils from Dove House School
A SECONDARY school is the first in Basingstoke to be awarded a Green Flag for its effort to become environmentally-friendly.
Dove House Special School, in Sutton Way, was presented with the flag by Basingstoke MP Maria Miller who visited the school to congratulate pupils and staff.
It is one of just 10 schools in Hampshire to achieve the award, which is given after a school can prove it has taken significant steps to become eco-friendly.
Pupils and staff at the school have introduced compost bins in their lunch hall and recycling bins in every classroom.
They also make sure all the computers are switched off when they are not being used and have planted trees and vegetables outside on an allotment site.
An independent assessor recently visited the school unannounced to make sure pupils and staff were following their environmentally-friendly initiatives all the time.
English teacher Sue Cross said: “We had to reach a certain standard and we have to maintain that standard.
“It’s good for the school because it shows that all the hard work has paid off and also the pupils are now more environmentally aware and know how to help save the planet. It’s improved their understanding and helped with their learning.”
An eco council was formed at the school and members monitor the efforts of all the pupils and make sure everyone is contributing in a positive way to the environment.
The Green Flag is awarded by Eco School – a Government initiative to improve the sustainability of schools in the UK.
