Schools go eco

Newhey primary school children celebrate going eco with Councillor Wera Hobhouse (right).

Fifteen Rochdale schools celebrated their successes at the recent annual Eco-schools conference, helping Rochdale become one of the top five authorities nationally for Eco School participation.

The borough is highly regarded for its approach in supporting schools by Encams who runs the Eco Schools programme in England.

Pupils, teachers, support staff and governors joined forces to share eco friendly ideas and take part in workshops at the event, organised by the council in partnership with Rochdale Education for Sustainability Network (RESN).

Alongside representatives from the council and a number of local environmental organisations, pupils also provided inspiring displays and presentations.

Over 80% of the borough’s schools are working towards Eco School status, a national programme rewarding schools who embed eco issues into their school, and are well above the national average.