Oldham’s eco record makes others green

CROMPTON Primary School celebrates green-flag status. From the left: Kai Hardman, Esme Jones, Elie Crossley, James Thomas, Lauren Schofield, Katie Connor, Ellis Harwood, Kiera Howarth and Regan Bennet- Snell. Staff at the back are Jeanette Sharp (left) and Clare White

A RECORD number of Oldham schools are now proudly showing off their green credentials by flying the flag for environmental change.

Five schools have gained international green-flag eco-schools status in the last academic year, taking the borough’s total to 10.

And 94 are signed up to the eco-schools scheme which highlights environmental excellence, the largest percentage of any local education authority in Greater Manchester, and the fourth biggest in England.

Schools can work towards eco-schools awards at three levels: bronze, silver and the prestigious green flag. They have to carry out an environmental audit and then draw up an action plan to meet green targets such as cutting litter or saving energy.

Pupils, staff and parents all have to be involved in an action team and Oldham schools work with Groundwork as well as the council.

Suzanne Walton, eco schools co-ordinator for Groundwork, said: “Pupils who have been involved in this programme grow in confidence and gain a sense of responsibility towards the environment.”

Kingfisher School received green-flag status this year along with four primaries: Christ Church CE, Chadderton; Crompton; St Mary’s CE, Greenfield; and Thorp.

Kingfisher and Thorp are now permanent green-flag schools, which means they have been reassessed and awarded flags four times in a row. Christ Church has been reassessed for the second time.

The five other schools are East Crompton St George’s CE; Greenhill, Oldham; Holy Trinity CE Dobcross; Horton Mill, Oldham; and St Margaret’s CE, Hollinwood.

There are 40 countries around the world that run the eco-schools programme and they can link up to explore ways of dealing with environmental issues.

Sixteen Oldham schools received eco-schools awards at a recent ceremony at the Queen Elizabeth Hall and Suzanne added: “We are delighted at the success. The challenge now is to help more schools achieve green flag status.”