Ipswich High School has been awarded a Green Flag by Eco-Schools
Ipswich High School is flying the flag for the environment after winning its first ever Eco-Schools award – but is aiming higher still.
The school has reaped the benefits of its hard work in raising awareness of climate change and being environmentally friendly by being awarded a prestigious Green Flag.
Prep teacher Armita Forouhar has led the charge after registering the school with Eco-Schools, part of Keep Britain Tidy, back in 2015.
Mrs Forouhar said: “I introduced Eco Club as an enrichment activity in school where enthusiastic children formed an eco-committee and focused on a range of topics including reducing energy, recycling, reducing the use of plastic, growing fruit trees and vegetables on the school grounds and encouraging health environmental living.”
Every class from the Prep School up to Senior School have eco-monitors who are responsible for sharing eco code with their peers and regularly meet to put together action plans to tackle issues around the school.
Ipswich High School pupils have taken part in litter picks as part of their bid to achieve the Eco-Schools Green Flag award
The team has been involved in a food waste survey, recycling clothes, shoes and books for St Anthony’s School in Uganda, taking part in the annual village litter pick, designing and distributing free reusable metal water bottles to all staff and pupils and using single use plastic to fill plastic bottles and create eco bricks for sculptures.
An assessor from Eco-Schools visited Ipswich High School at the end of the summer term to speak to the eco-monitors.
Betsy Reid, the Eco-Schools assessor, said: “Mrs Forouhar’s dedication over the last four years has resulted in an evolving team of pupils prepared to think and do.
“The eco-boards show that the whole school is involved in following their lead.
“In tackling plastic pollution and the proliferation of single use plastic, in monitoring and reducing energy use, in making changes that protect their own long-term health and in understanding growing cycles, the school is tackling some of the most urgent issues of our time. They all contribute to the big one: climate disruption.”
Mrs Forouhar said she was delighted to hear that the school had achieved its Green Flag award but has now set the school another target to hit.
“We know very well that the hard work needs to continue,” she added. “This academic year, I want Ipswich High School to work towards being a plastic-free school.
“I am sure with the help of staff and pupils we can reduce using plastic and gradually reach the goal of becoming plastic-free.”