Pupils at Middleton Nursery School awarded Eco-Schools’ Green Flag

Pupils at Middleton Nursery School awarded Eco-Schools’ Green Flag

Pupils at Middleton Nursery School have received international accreditation for their work in promoting sustainability and raising environmental awareness amongst their peers. According to Eco Schools England, they are the first nursery in the Borough of Rochdale to achieve the award.

The Eco-Schools programme, established in 1994, is now implemented in over 70 countries worldwide. In 2023-24, more than 1.4 million pupils attended an Eco-School in England.

Pupils at Middleton Nursery School used Eco-Schools’ tried-and-trusted seven-step framework to create positive change. Whilst making progress in each of the ten areas in the Eco-Schools Framework, this year the children focused on three areas, these were biodiversity, global citizenship and healthy living.

Just a few of the changes made: menus have a regular meat-free Monday, sourcing food locally and sustainably, encouraging health and wellbeing by weekly dance sessions led by a qualified dance teacher, yoga sessions too and besides nursery’s very own ‘Stanley’ the nursery school’s resident tortoise, adopting a turtle from the World Wide Fund for Nature who the children voted to name ‘Seaweed’.

Eco Schools said in their assessment of the schools award that "your action plan contains a diverse range of activities aimed at creating positive behaviours, making an immediate difference to your local environment, and expanding your Eco-Schools initiatives into your local community. Your curriculum links are fun, engaging, and pitched just right for younger learners. You have skilfully integrated environmental issues into your curriculum, enriching pupil’s learning in the process."

Speaking about their achievements, Lee Mottershead the nursery director said he "could not be prouder of the children and staff taking hold of such an important issue and making real positive changes that will contribute to making our planet a better, more sustainable place."

Deborah Wood nursery manager said: "Every member of staff has been 100% on board with this, undertaking training on delivering eco topics. The children understand the issues behind them and have taken a lead in making small changes in the nursery that will no doubt grow as the children grow. I am so proud of everyone here."

Eco-Schools England manager, Adam Flint, said: ‘The Eco-Schools’ Green Flag is an international benchmark that demonstrates a commitment to fighting climate change and high standard of sustainable practice. Students and staff who earn this award deserve recognition for their dedication toward protecting our planet."