Four primary schools in Milton Keynes are taking part in a pilot scheme to encourage and educate children about local environmental issues.
The scheme called ‘Eco Warriors’ is for children from Years 3-6 who must complete three environmentally themed challenges each term to earn reward stickers.
Starting in Year 3 as an Eco Champion, pupils will work their way up to:
-
Year 4 = Eco Hero
-
Year 5 = Eco Warrior
-
Year 6 = Ultimate Eco Warrior
Challenges include physical activities to get them out and about in their local area, organising school uniform or toy swaps at school or learning about how to recycle in MK. There are also bonus tasks for them to complete if they want to do more.
Participating schools will sign a pledge at the start of term promising to implement changes to be more eco-friendly such as installing water butts, having reusable plastics and reducing waste. They will each receive an Eco Warrior logo to display on their school signs and website too.
The school with the most reward stickers at the end of the school year will win £400 of vouchers to spend on items for the school.
The three runner-up schools will each receive £200 of vouchers.
Cllr Emily Darlington, Cabinet Member for Public Realm said “I'm delighted to be working with these four MK schools on the pilot scheme this year and to see it rolled out across all primary schools in 2020.”
“It's so important to educate children about how and why we should recycle so that they learn an important life lesson that will stay with them as they grow up.”
“Children are aware of the negative impact of our actions on the environment from national news stories and the Eco Warriors scheme is a positive way that they can do something locally to help.”
Philip Gray, Head Teacher at Long Meadow School said, “We are looking forward to working with the children at our school to take part in the pilot scheme of the Eco Warriors Challenge. The scheme sets to teach our children more about local environmental issues like recycling and litter.”
“It will also teach them lifelong skills about how to reuse, reduce and recycle and do something active to help reduce landfill.”
