We are thrilled to announce that Dallington School has been awarded the highly esteemed Eco-Schools Green Flag! This achievement reflects our commitment to fostering environmental awareness, sustainability, and student leadership within our school community. The award acknowledges our successful efforts in creating a greener and more sustainable school environment, aligning perfectly with Dallington School’s core values of creativity, empathy, and relationships.
A Testament to Our Eco-Warriors’ Passion and Dedication
The journey to earning the Eco-Schools Green Flag has been an exciting and empowering experience for our Eco-Warriors, a dedicated group of seven students and two adults. As the Eco-Schools team noted, “It is evident that young people in your school are aware of environmental issues and passionate about protecting our planet.” This passion was clearly demonstrated in the initiatives led by our Eco-Warriors throughout the year.
Student Engagement and Leadership at its Best
One of the most significant highlights of our Eco-Schools journey has been our students’ engagement level. A Year 3 child perfectly encapsulated the spirit of our efforts by saying, “Dallington will be more eco-friendly, and that is important to help stop climate change and save the animals.”
Our children didn’t just talk about making a difference; they took action! The Eco-Warriors enthusiastically embraced the challenge of completing the Eco-Schools Environmental Review, which helped us self-reflect as a school and identify areas of strength and improvement. We were proud to find that we were already doing well in areas such as Energy, Global Citizenship, Litter, and Water, but also recognised the need to focus more on Marine issues.
Innovative Projects and Community Involvement
Our Eco-Warriors spearheaded several innovative and impactful projects that brought the entire Dallington community together. A highlight was our whole school Eco Fashion Show for Clerkenwell Design Week, which was displayed in Yotel. Other creative initiatives included Year 3 and 4’s creative ‘Ocean Layer Cake’ project following their trip to the Natural History Museum; Year 5 and 6’s computing lessons linked to waste and recycling and Nursery and Reception’s collection of materials to make eco bricks. Every child had the opportunity to learn about sustainability in a hands-on, engaging way.
We are incredibly proud of how our school has embraced the Eco-Schools ethos, and we were delighted to hear the feedback from the wider community. One parent shared the impact being an Eco Warrior had on their son, saying, “It has been very empowering for him to feel that he, personally and collectively as part of his community, is able to make meaningful change towards our local environment.”
Looking Ahead to an Even Greener Future
Our Eco-Warriors have already started planning for next year, inspired by their achievements and eager to build on their successes. They have taken a multi-faceted approach to environmental education, integrating their initiatives into the curriculum, involving parents and the wider community, and celebrating their successes along the way.
As the Eco-Schools team noted, “The multi-faceted approach of hands-on learning, student leadership, integration with the curriculum, and celebrating success is one our team is very happy to see.” This recognition affirms our belief that student engagement is the greatest outcome of our Eco-Schools work.
Receiving the Eco-Schools Green Flag is just the beginning. We are committed to continuing our journey toward sustainability, guided by the enthusiasm and dedication of our Eco-Warriors. As we celebrate this achievement, we extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone involved – students, staff, parents, and community members. Together, we have made Dallington a greener place and will continue to do so.
Click here to learn more about the Eco Schools initiative.
