21 June 2010

Pupils to take part in Eco-Schools Show
Environmentally conscious pupils and teachers from some of Peterborough's 43 eco-schools have been invited to take part in the National Eco-Schools Show at the East of England Showground on Wednesday.

Pupils and teachers from schools across the country will also be attending the conference.

The Eco-Schools programme is an international award scheme for schools which is administered in the UK by Keep Britain Tidy. It is free to join and once registered schools follow a simple seven-step process which helps them to address a variety of environmental themes, ranging from litter and waste to healthy living and biodiversity.

Schools work towards gaining one of three awards - bronze, silver and the prestigious Green Flag award which symbolises excellence in the field of environmental activity. Bronze and silver are both self accredited through the Eco-Schools website and Green Flag is externally assessed by Keep Britain Tidy.

In Peterborough green charity Peterborough Environment City Trust (PECT) assists schools in working towards gaining Eco-Schools accreditation. The city currently has three Green Flag schools - St Augustine's Junior School, Werrington Primary School and Southfields Infant School.

Green Flags are reassessed every two years to ensure the school continues to meet the standard. St Augustine's school is currently awaiting re-assessment for its fourth Green Flag.

The Eco-Schools Show will feature a variety of green activities in the activity zone and workshops for pupils and teachers providing practical advice for schools looking to attain and keep the Eco-Schools Green Flag.

School eco-committee members will be able to ask questions in the Experts Area and exhibitors will be displaying information or products for Eco-Schools. There will also be a central stage area where there will be performances from Peterborough schools. Peterborough City Council's assistant director for learning and skills, Mel Collins, will officially launch the show on the main stage at 10.30am.

Councillor John Holdich, cabinet member for education, skills and university, said: "The young people who are involved are our adults of the future and so it is important they learn from a young age about protecting the environment. Projects like this also add to the growing reputation of Peterborough as the UK's environment capital."

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