Barry's Jenner Park Primary School awarded first Green Flag

Jenner Park Primary School made waves recently as the recipient of the internationally acclaimed eco-award, thanks to the Eco-Schools environmental education programme. It is the school's first Green Flag Award.

Run by Keep Wales Tidy and funded by the Welsh Government, Eco-Schools are attended by more than 90 per cent of schools in Wales.

As part of the programme, the Jenner Park pupils have been empowered to make environmentally conscious changes which benefit their school, environment, and wider community.

This includes curbing waste and energy consumption along with tackling transport, healthy living, and litter issues.

The school has implemented a number of eco initiatives (Image: Jenner Park primary School)

Pupils committed to turning the school into a 'litter free school' through efforts including school-area litter picks.

Furthermore, the school established a 'Diversity Crew' and organised whole school Diversity Days to heighten understanding of various cultures and languages.

Artist Rhiannon Roberts provided a helping hand in aiding pupils to develop a mural and enhance the land near the school's car park.

An Eco Day was held across the entire school, raising awareness of plastic pollution, and a mural was made using recycled materials.

The school has pledged allegiance to raising eco-awareness through its 'Help the World Team', a dedicated group of pupils who regularly discuss, plan and action initiatives of environmental importance.

Julie Giles of Stop Wales Tidy visited Jenner Park Primary School in July, and said: "It was impressive to hear about the numerous water and waste reduction activities taking place around the school, including the reuse of school uniform."

She further commended the actions taken to reduce litter in and beyond the school premises as a 'real success', and praised the whole school Eco Day.

Ms Giles added: "It was also good to see the before and after improvement to the car park entrance and the development of a space for nature and growing.

"Congratulations, a really well-deserved first Green Flag Award achieved."

Julie Garrad from the Welsh Government, present on the assessment day, sent her hearty congratulations, expressing her delight with the school's work.