Village school near Harborough is proudly flying the flag for the environment after winning a top national accolade

The school is believed to be the only one in the region to hold the prestigious award
Lubenham All Saints Primary has landed the leading Eco-Schools award, the Green Flag, after years of hard work by inspired pupils.Lubenham All Saints Primary has landed the leading Eco-Schools award, the Green Flag, after years of hard work by inspired pupils.
Lubenham All Saints Primary has landed the leading Eco-Schools award, the Green Flag, after years of hard work by inspired pupils.

A Harborough village school is proudly flying the flag for our environment after winning a top national accolade.

Lubenham All Saints Primary has landed the leading Eco-Schools award, the Green Flag, after years of hard work by inspired pupils.

The school in Lubenham, near Market Harborough, is believed to be the only one in the region to hold the prestigious award.

The school’s Green Team, led by Business Manager Vanessa Lingley, backed by governors, community, staff and pupils, has been working through the bronze and silver awards since 2014.

Thrilled Vanessa said: “After many years of perseverance I’m delighted that Green Team have been awarded their objective, the Green Flag.

“I’m especially proud for our year 6 members, who have been working towards this since year 2.

“The children’s enthusiasm and increasing awareness of ecological issues is inspirational.”

The Green Team carries out regular environmental audits of the school, covering a variety of Eco-Schools topics such as energy use, healthy living, waste, biodiversity, transport and school grounds.

They then create action plans to tackle areas for improvement.

Recent projects have included a campaign for a safer road crossing in Lubenham, a school assembly to encourage less use of the photocopier, ditching milk cartons and straws for re-useable cups and planning for a new school pond area.

The small village primary school, part of Learn Academies Trust, has been recycling and composting for many years.

Every classroom has a mixed recycling bin and also facilities for pen recycling.

Fruit and vegetable waste is taken to the school’s amazing composting area, which was developed in conjunction with local volunteers.

The school chickens provide their own waste for the compost heap too!

Lubenham School’s Green Team comprises 12 pupils aged 6-11.

They have met formally every 6 weeks this year (until mid-March), with older pupils taking turns to chair and minute the meetings.

In more informal, practical sessions eager beaver pupils have made bird feeders, created posters for campaigns, picked up litter on the school field and toiled in the school garden.

The youngsters are being supported by Cathy Holder, a former teacher and governor, and Julie Page, a community representative.

Executive headteacher Heather White, who has led the school for four years, said: “This is an amazing achievement for our school.

“It’s lovely to see the children taking responsibility for their environment and making a difference.”

A special celebration is now being set up for everyone involved when permitted as the Covid-19 lockdown gradually begins to ease.

You can visit the school’s website here: www.lubenham.leics.sch.uk