Last Chance to Enter
The It's Our Planet Awards 2010 provide Lancashire schools with recognition for their achievements in improving environmental performance. The Awards are managed by Groundwork Pennine Lancashire and will be presented on 21st October 2010 at Ewood Park, Blackburn.
The Awards illustrate the crucial role that needs to be played by schools in helping protect and enhance the environment, and showcase examples of environmental excellence and commitment to green issues across 6 Categories. Each of the Categories recognises Primary and Secondary schools' contribution to protecting our environment, either through specific projects or through the quality of the sustainable development education they provide to their students.
To enter you need to download, complete and return a simple application form telling us about a project or work that you have done in the last 18 months and include a few photos or some other form of evidence. The deadline has been extended to the 30th of September. More information and application forms are available at www.its-our-planet-awards.co.uk or contact Suzi McPherson on 01254 669 057 or suzi.mcpherson@groundwork.org.uk
Awards Categories
1) Global Citizenship Award
This Award is for schools that have imaginatively introduced the global dimension into school life and learning. It recognises schools where pupils consider the environmental, social and economic impacts of their decisions on both local and global communities, in the future as well as in the present. Applicants must demonstrate how their school has developed a responsible, international outlook and an understanding of our global challenges.
2) Sustainable Travel Award
This Award is for schools that have developed and implemented a sustainable travel plan for pupils, families and teachers. Applicants should outline their plan and describe how they have encouraged safer and more sustainable methods of transport for school journeys. Entries could also include details of any innovative awareness raising initiatives that have been implemented to promote the plan.
3) Waste Savers Award
This Award is for schools that have taken steps to reduce the amount of waste they produce including energy, water and materials. Schools should demonstrate their waste minimisation methods and the ways in which they reduce, reuse, repair and recycle. Entries could also include sustainable procurement policies that demonstrate the school's ethical approach to purchasing through local and fair trade sourcing procedures.
4) Bright Sparks Energy Efficiency Award
This Award is for schools who have taken steps to reduce their energy consumption and integrate energy learning into everyday school life. Applicants should demonstrate how they have made energy savings through the use of energy efficiency measures or renewable technologies.
5) Green Fingers Award for School Grounds - please note we are not accepting anymore entries for this category
This Award is for schools that have considered sustainable living when designing, constructing or managing their school grounds. Applicants should demonstrate how the school has brought pupils closer to the natural world and helped them to learn about sustainable living. Entries could include food growing, sensory gardens, sustainable solutions to materials and equipment, composting, biodiversity conservation or natural play.
6) Eco-Supporter Award
This Award is for a parent, Governor, volunteer, or member of staff who has played an active and invaluable role in the school's environmental agenda and has:
- Led by example, encouraging others to become more environmentally aware and to lead more sustainable lives
- Put time and effort into fostering a whole school environmental and sustainable approach
- Worked especially hard to spread the message and improve the local environment
Published September 2010
