Pupils at St Michael’s Primary School in St Albans have earned an international accreditation, recognizing their amazing work in making their school more environmentally friendly and raising eco-awareness in fellow pupils.

Pupils formed an Eco-Committee then conducted an environmental review, assessing how eco-friendly their school is. Building on their findings they planned a year of action designed to advance St Michael’s School’s green credentials, improve their local environment, and protect our planet.

The Eco-Committee connected their work to 3 Eco-Schools topics: Waste Aware, Cut Your Carbon, School Grounds Improvement.

They then planned a variety of projects including whole school focus weeks to raise awareness of how to reduce waste and how to reduce carbon emissions. They also improved the school grounds by developing the school garden, including insect friendly habitats, making bird feeders in Forest School, and growing bee friendly plants and herbs.

On completion of the projects the school was awarded a distinction! The written feedback said, ‘It’s clear that as a school you are embedding an environmental education into all areas of your curriculum with great enthusiasm and that this is being used to enrich learning in your school whilst also engaging young people in important issues. Your submission was innovative, impactful and inspirational!’

Eco-Schools England Manager, Adam Flint, said: ‘The Eco-Schools Green Flag award is an internationally recognized symbol of high environmental standards. The pupils and school staff that earn the award deserve immense credit for their hard work, determination, and creativity. Their passion for protecting our planet is an inspiration to us all.’