12th Green Flag for St Edward's Primary School

Councillor Billy Sheerin, Ann Marie Kent, Lisa Johnson and the school headteacher Paula Mann with the Busy Bee group

St Edward’s Primary School in Castleton has been presented with its 12th Green Flag status for being an eco-friendly school.

The Eco-Schools Green Flag is an internationally recognised award for excellence in environmental action and learning. Ward councillor Billy Sheerin presented the Green Flag to the school during assembly on Friday 15 July.

He said: “It is a great honour and privilege to once again reward the eco-minded ethos of the school, and for all the hard work staff and the ‘busy bees’ have put in over a difficult year working to achieve Green Flag status.”

St Edward’s has been an eco-school since 2000, and was included in the Eco-Schools’ Hall of Fame as holders of 10 Green Flags in 2020.

The flag tells the local community that the school’s young Busy Bee group, of like-minded pupils, are forward thinking and actively engaged in protecting the planet. The school understands that there are only two other schools in the whole of the country that have been awarded more annual green flag awards than St Edwards’.

Over the years, the school has participated in many eco projects. As well as lessons about environmental issues, students and staff enjoy helping out in community projects, such as helping out at the local train station and working with a local housing association.

St Edward’s has also enjoyed entering Rochdale in Bloom for the past 10 years and working with everyone involved.

The children are always suggesting ways to improve the environment and love planning new projects. Parents and the local community also get involved in projects.