Local school receives national recognition for world-changing work
St Lawrence Primary School receives national accolade for embedding “Be the change” principles across the curriculum
An Effingham primary school’s commitment to “green action” has won praise from a national awards scheme.
St Lawrence Primary School has been named runner up in the “Primary Awards For Green Education in Schools” (PAGES) green action category. The accolade recognises the school’s ‘Be the change’ whole-school curriculum, which encourages children to learn how humans can impact positively and create a lasting legacy.
Tom Dell, Principal of St Lawrence Primary School, said: “Our school curriculum provides children with meaningful opportunities to make positive contributions to society and the environment more widely. It empowers them to 'Be the change' they wish to see in the world. It’s fantastic that this work, and its impact, has been recognised by PAGES. Some 270 entries were submitted for the award, so to be selected as only one of only a handful of runners up, against such fierce competition, is hugely motivating and validating for both our staff and our children.”
The school’s “Be the change” curriculum is based on the themes of “impact”, “sustainability”, “fragility” and “equality”. Each theme focuses on specific learning enquiries that develop children’s understanding of:
- Impact – so children can learn how humans can leave a positive legacy
- Sustainability – so pupils learn to value environmentally-friendly ways of living
- Fragility – to encourage children to value and protect the planet and its resources
- Equality – to help children promote equity and opportunity through valuing self and diversity
The 'Be the Change' Curriculum approach is now fully embedded across the school providing children with the knowledge, skills and opportunity to make positive contributions through their ‘Great Works’. Children share their learning beyond the classroom to make positive contributions to the world around them.
The Primary Awards for Green Education in Schools (PAGES) is a new awards scheme for primary schools in the United Kingdom. The Awards are based on the success of the Better Energy School Awards, which saw amazing environmental projects submitted by almost 450,000 young people, guided by their inspirational teachers.
PAGES aim to assist and encourage environmental education for young people aged 5-11. They promote cross-curricular work on the environment and any work schools are doing that covers any kind of environmental issue can be entered.