Quote - David Attenborough - "People must feel that the natural world is important and valuable and beautiful and wonderful and an amazement and a pleasure".

Intent:

We teach eco education with the purpose of promoting sustainability goals to pupils, to inspire pupils to care for the environment and ways to reduce waste. Eco education is delivered through a combination of engaging experiences, trips and lessons linked to the cornerstones curriculum. Trips such as the Nene park visit and Stibbington residential help children connect with the natural world and learn ways to protect it. Engaging experiences such as gardening and cooking with produce that has grown from the garden builds children’s understanding of food production. Visits to the forest help children learn to respect their environment and build upon their knowledge of wildlife and nature. Workshops and visits from guest speakers such as Anglian water and Sustrans educates pupils on the importance of road safety, water waste and the water cycle. We also understand the many benefits of pupils accessing the outdoors, trips and experiences for their well-being and self-esteem.

Implementation:

At the Beeches Primary school, we are proud to be an Eco Charter school to encourage our pupils to be more sustainable and minimise their environment impact. The school strives to achieve the sustainability principles set by Peterborough’s Eco framework and deliver Eco education to all pupils. The sustainability principles include health and happiness, land use and wildlife, sustainable transport, local and sustainable food, sustainable materials, equity and local economy, culture and heritage, zero carbon, sustainable water and zero waste. The school to date has achieved the following awards; health and happiness, land use and wildlife, sustainable transport, culture and heritage and local and sustainable food and the Eco flag too. The school attends the Peterborough Eco awards each year and pupil representatives from the school create their own display and presentation to share the sustainability goals the school has achieved. The sustainability principle we are aiming to achieve this year is zero waste. Within the school there are ECO warriors selected to help support eco initiatives such as the big pedal and look after the school site through litter picking and helping care for the garden.

Impact:

Eco education and the sustainability principles are delivered through lessons linked to the cornerstones curriculum, engaging experiences and trips.  By the end of reception children will have visited a farm, learnt about food production, explored the forest area, learnt more about the environment and living things. Pupils will participate in gardening, planting seeds and watching them grow. The produce that is grown from the garden is then used in cooking too. This year children made potato salad with chives and potatoes from the garden. With support from Sustrans children have the opportunity to learn to ride a balance bike and cycle without stabilisers.  Children will learn about road safety and take part in pedestrian training with their families too.

Throughout key stage one children will meet a variety of different animals and learn about their differences and similarities. They will continue to access the forest area and develop their knowledge of life cycles, living things and their habitats.  Trips to the beach where children will learn more about that particular habitat. Children will help care for the garden and watch bean seeds grow. The herbs planted will be used in cooking to make pitta bread and scones.  Children will observe and understand seasonal changes and patterns. Learn to ride sessions are available for parents to attend with their children to learn to ride a bike without stabilisers. Children learn more about pedestrian training and road safety with special visits from the local police. Gardening and forest clubs occur every spring until summer where pupils look after the garden, learn about the forest and cook on a campfire. Gardening events enable pupils and their families to help look after the garden area and keep it tidy.

Across key stage two children will have the opportunity to experience trips such as the Arctic explorer experience and the Stibbington residential. These experiences help to enhance pupils’ knowledge of ways to look after the environment and protect it. Children continue to develop their understanding of wildlife and will see insects and amphibians up close. Trips to Nene park and the forest educate pupils on pond life, food chains and different habitats. Visitors from Anglian water will come in to discuss the water cycle and water use. Pupils will help to care for the garden and experience planting and make soup using ingredients that they have grown. Children will learn more about food production through visits to a supermarket and a local farm where children learn about potato production. A community litter pick with families is organised to help pupils care for their local area. Bikeability sessions run by Outspoken ensure children across years 4 to 6 are able to ride a bike confidently and learn how to safely ride a bike on the road. Visits from the local police and Sustrans educate pupil about road safety and event such as Glo week help further their understanding of keeping safe in a car and as a pedestrian. Bike-it crew members help to promote sustainable transport and organise events for children across the school such as the big pedal and cycle to Lapland. Children leave the school with an increased knowledge of climate change, sustainability and ways in which they can help protect the environment for future generations.