Over the summer Balcarras school was awarded the green flag award. This is a nationwide award that at is aimed at promoting sustainability in schools in the UK. The schools Ecoclub have been working on a number of projects this year to achieve this.  We have previously had this award, this is now a renewal from when we last achieved this.  We also managed to achieve a distinction with some of the work we have been doing around the school.

The three areas we focused on were; Reducing Energy, Waste and School Grounds. The Ecoclub set some targets and then worked on improving these areas. 

For Energy we carried out some surveys of rooms to encourage people to switch off lights and close doors when not in use, The school has been improving the school buildings with around 2/3 of all lights now LED, all windows double glazed, and new more effieicent boilers and computers being installed. 

For Waste we have installed a clothes recycling bank and held swap shop events to reuse clothing. Each classroom has a paper recycling bin. The Ecoclub have also set out pen recycling boxes in each department. We have been working on reducing single use plastics and have moved to biodegradable food containers in the canteen.

In terms of school grounds we have done a range of tree planting, we have a veg garden on site. The Ecoclub have helped design and improve one of the ponds on the school site. 

We have a number of events throughout the year, including a 'Thick jumper day', a 'car free day', all pupils take part in litter picking around the site to help the environment to look as good as it can.

There are still a number of things we would like to do to make the environmental impact of our school less, if you would like to get involved come along to the schools Eco club, ir contact Mr Pearce.