Chamber supports school's environmental efforts

Solihull Chamber of Commerce has backed an initiative that recognises schools across the borough who take action on climate change.

The Chamber sponsored Balsall Common Primary School as part of the Greener Solihull Schools Awards.

The awards recognised schools from across the borough for their exceptional commitment to sustainability and environmental conservation.

Awards were presented at the Solihull Sustainable Schools Conference, which included a range of speakers from organisations including the West Midlands Combined Authority and Severn Trent.

Open to all schools in the borough, the awards challenge pupils and teachers to learn more about the environment both locally and globally, and strive to make their school more eco-friendly.

Presented by local business champions, the awards help to develop a sense of pride in each school 's sustainability activities.

Students were praised for a range of initiatives including litter picking, involvement in the borough 's fair trade art trail and recycling schemes.

The awards were broken down into different categories which covered pupil led initiatives, linking in with wider environmental campaigns and embedding sustainability into the curriculum.

In addition to the certificates, several winners also received handmade wooden plaques from Newlands Bishops Farm, a centre for work-based learning for people with learning disabilities in Solihull.

The list of schools that received awards along with their business sponsor is as follows:

• Balsall Common Primary School (Solihull Chamber of Commerce)
• Damson Wood Infant School (Birmingham Business Park)
• George Fentham Primary School(Birmingham Business Park)
• Langley Primary School(Touchwood)
• Langley Secondary School (John Lewis)
• Merstone School (Birmingham Airport)
• Monkspath Junior & Infant School (Prologis)
• Peterbrook Primary School (Prologis)
• St Anne 's Catholic Primary School (Birmingham Airport)
• St George and Teresa Catholic Primary School (Touchwood)
• St Patrick 's Primary Academy (Fieldfisher)
• St Peter 's Catholic Secondary School (Birmingham Airport)
• St Augustine 's Catholic Primary School (John Lewis)

Sam Frampton, head of the Solihull Chamber, said: “It is inspiring to read all about the campaigns that the pupils have been working on together.

“From litter picking in the community as part of the Great British Autumn and Spring Clean to the 'Young lungs at work ' campaign where the pupils produced a video encouraging the school to be part of their anti-pollution campaign.

“I especially enjoyed reading all about the links that they have made with a school in Zimbabwe and the discussions that the year 4 pupils have had about the effects of climate change.

“The Greener Solihull Schools awards align themselves perfectly with what we in Solihull and the wider Chamber are trying to achieve within the business community.

“The Chamber is heavily involved in supporting businesses across the West Midlands in their own journey towards more sustainable business practices and recently hosted a Sustainability speaker event in Solihull which followed on from the Sustainable Business conference. All helping to increase awareness and stimulate action on achieving net zero targets.

“Congratulations again to Balsall Common Primary school on their achievements. ”

Birgitta Varga, Balsall Common Primary School 's eco lead, said: “Linking our curriculum with UN 's 17 SDGs is a brilliant way of broadening our pupils ' knowledge, and having Solihull Chamber of Commerce supporting our award for the second year running, we can see a beneficial link where our pupils and the Chamber together are pushing for further ECO pledges in our community.

“As the next generation, it is truly our responsibility to change our community and the world for the better. ”

Sarah Lardner, engagement Officer in Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council 's sustainability team, said: “The conference is a wonderfully collaborative event, with businesses, council officers and various organisations all contributing.

“I 'd like to extend my thanks to all of the business champions for their motivational feedback and to the dedicated teachers who shared their fabulous best practice.

“It was especially lovely to hear about the generous rewards the schools have received from businesses. ”

Find out more information on the Greener Solihull Schools Awards.

Pictured: Sam Frampton and Birgitta Varga with Balsall Common pupils