Author: Nora Schuh
On 12th December 2019, 160 Eco-Schools students, teachers and supporters gathered at the world famous Etihad Stadium in Manchester for Eco-Schools England’s first ever National Award Ceremony. The evening was hosted by Keep Britain Tidy and presided over by famous adventurer, television presenter and author Steve Backshall. Marking 25 years of the Eco-Schools programme in England, the event was a celebration of the amazing work undertaken by a generation of Eco-Schools across the country.
“The purpose of the event was to recognize the hard work and determination of Eco Schools, Eco-Committees, Eco-Coordinators and Green Flag Assessors who have made the programme as successful as it is in England - without them we would not be the largest educational programme. ”
Sixteen schools and individuals were honoured with awards for excellence in the Eco-Schools programme. Over 70 students aged 6-17 from award-winning schools attended the ceremony, along with their teachers and Eco-Coordinators. A number of local authorities and corporate partners who have supported the programme over the years also joined in the festivities.
The evening culminated with the presentation of the Eco-Schools Lifetime Achievement Award to Cannon Burrows Church of England Primary School. In 1998, Cannon Burrows became the first school in England to earn a Green Flag. The school has since achieved 10 Green Flags and has been frequently recognised for excellence in environmental education. One of the Cannon Burrows teachers in attendance at the award ceremony was also a student on the school’s first Eco-Committee in 1994, proving that Cannon Burrows has been educating young people about the environment for a generation.
All of the awarded schools and individuals have gone above and beyond to achieve Eco-Schools excellence. You can find out more about the award winners here: Award Winner Biographies
All photos by Martin Birchall
The Eco-Schools National Award Ceremony was made possible by the Players of the People’s Postcode Lottery.