Solihull schools continue to lead the way on climate change action with more than a dozen celebrated for their efforts at the annual Greener Solihull School Awards.
Open to all schools in the borough, the awards celebrate schools’ outstanding commitment to sustainable and greener practices, challenge pupils and teachers to learn more about the environment, and enable them to take action to make their school more eco-friendly.
Award winners demonstrated their dedication through projects ranging from launching a pre-loved uniform shop to promote re-use of clothes, community litter picks, creating a bug hotel to encourage biodiversity, to taking part in ‘Switch Off Fortnight’ to lower their electricity usage.
As well as highlighting the work of schools and sharing best practice, the event also included a Question Time session with a panel made up of Council officers and Solihull Council’s Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Climate Change & Planning Councillor Andy Mackiewicz to give pupils the chance to quiz them on the environment and sustainability in Solihull.
The event was held on Monday 11 November in the Council Chamber and was attended by children from winning schools, local businesses who sponsored the awards, along with the Mayor of Solihull Councillor Shahin Ashraf MBE and Councillor Mackiewicz.
The Mayor of Solihull presented schools with their awards after a short speech by each business representative outlining the school’s positive environmental work.
The Mayor of Solihull, Councillor Shahin Ashraf MBE, said:
“It is inspiring to see so many young people engaged in tackling the climate change emergency, not only by introducing sustainable practices in their school, but also by sharing their ideas and enthusiasm with the local community. Well done to all of the children who took part!”
Solihull Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Planning, Councillor Andy Mackiewicz, said:
“The Greener Solihull School Awards are a highlight in the calendar as it provides young people with the opportunity to learn more about the fight against climate change, develop a sense of pride in their school for sustainability activities, and be recognised for their fantastic work.
“This is also a key time for all of our schools in Solihull with the Government expecting every education setting to have nominated a sustainability lead and put in place a climate action plan by 2025, with these Awards showing so many are already making fantastic progress towards that.
“I want to congratulate all of the children for their hard work and also take this opportunity to thank the school staff who work so diligently to teach the next generation about the importance of climate change action.
“A big thank you must also go out to the range of local businesses who have once again shown their dedication and commitment by sponsoring the awards and supporting their schools in achieving their award.”
The awards are split into three levels with those obtaining the highest accolade receiving wood-carved trophies designed by Newlands Bishop Farm.
The full list of winners and their sponsors are as follows:
- Balsall Common Primary School, Level 1/2/3, sponsored by Birmingham Business Park
- Coppice Academy, Level 1/2/3, sponsored by Hill & Smith Infrastructure
- Damson Wood Nursery and Infant School, Level 1/2/3, sponsored by Touchwood
- Dickens Heath Community Primary School, Level 1/2/3, sponsored by Prologis
- Forest Oak School, Level 1/2, sponsored by Flannery Group
- George Fentham Endowed School, Level 1/2/3, sponsored by Tio Latino
- Monkspath Junior and Infant School, Level 1/2/3, sponsored by Hill & Smith PLC
- Oak Cottage Primary School, Level 1/2/3, sponsored by Womble Bond Dickinson
- Peterbrook Primary School, Level 1/2, sponsored by Energy & Utility Skills
- St Anne’s Catholic Primary School, Level 1/2/3, sponsored by Birmingham Airport
- St Augustine’s Catholic Primary School, Level 1/2, sponsored by Prime Accountants
- St Patrick’s C. of E Primary Academy, Level 1/2/3, sponsored by Solihull Chamber of Commerce
- Valley Primary School, Level 1/2, sponsored by John Lewis
For more information about the Council’s climate change and sustainability campaign and how to get involved, visit the Your Future Solihull webpages, or sign up to the Your Future Solihull newsletter.