Eco-champion pupils deliver presentation at Cheshire Sustainable Schools Conference hosted by Crewe Alexandra FC

Nov 19 2009 by Ben Coulbeck, Chester Chronicle

A GROUP of green-thinking schools are working together in a bid to reduce their carbon footprint.

Nine rural primary schools and a high school are included in the Sandstone Partnership which has been formed to identify ways of becoming sustainable.

Each school sent their eco-champion pupils to the Cheshire and Warrington Sustainable Schools Conference in Crewe to talk about their role in the partnership.

The group, also known as the Tarporley cluster, includes: Tarporley High School and primary schools from Kelsall, Tarvin, Delamere, Utkinton, Eaton, Calveley, Bunbury, Duddon and Tarporley.

Last week’s annual conference, hosted by Crewe Alexandra FC, was also attended by WWF head of education Liz Jackson as well as key-note speakers from Farming and Countryside Education.

Kelsall Primary’s eco-champions Elise, Hannah and Jay gave a power-point presentation on the school’s recently-held environment week.

They also gave an account of what it meant to be involved in a cluster of schools, sharing ideas to boost the environment.

Kelsall headteacher Stephen Williams, who also chairs the Sandstone Partnership, said: “The children were excellent ambassadors of the Sandstone Partnership.

“The collaboration that exists between the schools continues to provide worthwhile and memorable learning opportunities for the pupils.

“We are definitely leading the way.”

Ideas and workshops, held during the conference, covered a full range of eco-topics including: growing food in school grounds, reducing energy in schools, sustainable communities, school travel, recycling, eco-schools, action for sustainable living, the EU and citizenship.