We are thrilled to announce that Bury Grammar School’s Eco-Committee has once again been awarded the prestigious Eco-Schools Green Flag with Distinction.

This recognition is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and passion of our pupils and staff who are committed to making our school and community a greener, more sustainable place. The Eco-Schools board reviewed our application and provided us with some wonderful feedback on our achievements: 

A Dedicated and Representative Eco-Committee

The board praised us for appointing a representative Eco-Committee, highlighting our school's commitment to both the Eco-Schools programme and the broader eco-cause. It was noted that our group of eager, enthusiastic volunteers demonstrates our community’s strong dedication to environmental stewardship. 

Environmental Review and Action Plan

The process of completing our Environmental Review significantly raised awareness across the school, helping our Eco-Committee to identify existing issues and spot gaps in our school's current environmental activities. It also allowed us to recognise the great work already underway. 

Our Action Plan was commended for its comprehensive approach, carefully considering how to involve the entire school in planned Eco-Schools’ activities. This inclusive approach aims to maximize impact and raise awareness among the entire school community. 

A Range of Creative and Engaging Activities We are delighted that the board appreciated the diverse range of activities our Eco-Committee planned and delivered. Our initiatives covered both indoor and outdoor activities, including: 

Indoor Activities: An Artivism competition and reducing single-use plastics. 

Outdoor Activities: A canal clean-up, creating a wildflower meadow, building a hedgehog house, bug hotels, bird boxes, bird feeders, and participating in the Big Birdwatch. 

Innovative Curriculum Links and Learning Our creative and practical curriculum links were highlighted as making environmental education accessible and engaging for all pupils. We were recognised for incorporating global environmental issues not only into the Geography and Science curriculums but also into PSHE and Art. The board suggested expanding this integration into other subjects like English, Maths, or D&T next year—a challenge we are eager to take on! 

Communication and Engagement Across the School and Community Our Eco-Board was praised for its visual appeal and effectiveness in promoting our work. Featuring our Eco-Committee members, it serves as an excellent way to raise their esteem and encourage other students to get involved. The board also loved how our Eco-Committee actively communicated their activities school-wide through assemblies, class feedback, newsletters, social media, and the Eco-Board itself. 

Moreover, our efforts extended beyond the school gates and into the local community, with activities such as our canal clean-up and developing the old railway land beside the school. Our collaboration with external organisations like Wheeldon’s Recycling Centre and the East Lancs Railway also provided invaluable experiences for our pupils. 

We are immensely proud of our Eco-Committee and the entire school community for their hard work, enthusiasm, and dedication to environmental sustainability. Earning the Green Flag with Distinction is a significant achievement, and it’s wonderful to see our efforts recognised. 

Congratulations to everyone involved—you should all be incredibly proud of your achievements! Here’s to another year of fantastic eco-work at Bury Grammar School!