Eco Council
Pupils at BWA want to make a difference to the world we live in and are committed to doing what they can to make sure we care for our school environment and beyond. Our Eco Council benefits the whole school, pupils and teachers. By joining up with the global programme ‘Eco-Schools’ we provide our pupils with the avenue to make a difference in the world.
Involvement with the Eco-Schools programme has huge positive impacts on the pupils as well as the school community. Not only do we see an increased confidence in our pupils but also a development of their leadership skills, improved well-being and an overall greater motivation at school.
At the start of every academic year, pupils from Reception through to Year 6 are invited to consider running for Eco Council in our official election. If a pupil decides they would like the opportunity to be their class representative, they prepare a manifesto before presenting it to their peers. Elections are taken very seriously and all pupils are asked to cast their votes for the candidate they feel is the right one for the job. Through this election process, each class selects two pupils from their class to represent them throughout the year.
Our Eco Council meets half-termly to discuss and vote on issues and initiatives as well as share relevant information with their class. At times they are requested to ask their class for ideas or take class votes relating to discussions by the Eco Council. It is the responsibility of each councillor to ensure that they express both their own views and the views of all the other pupils they represent.
The Eco Council has highlight the need to reduce, reuse and recycle. Here are some of things they have done to improve our school environment and beyond.
Reducing Plastic
To reduce plastic waste most pupils now bring in their own water bottle that can be refilled at school.
Recycling paper
We encourage everyone to reduce the amount of paper they use and recycle it when possible.
Gardening
We have an active Gardening Club and gardening is weaved throughout the curriculum. Our parents have helped us develop our outside area to provide more opportunities to grow fruit and vegetables on our school site.The Eco-Council met to do a gardening project. They explored what type of plants will grow and flower in the winter season. They used this information to create planters with herbs and flowers to improve the school environment.
In the Spring Term, they will be meeting over several lunch times to work on a variety of gardening projects, including how to grow veggies from scraps, how to create a windowsill garden, and much more.
Clean Air Day 2025 - Breathing Better Together
Our school is proud to take part in Clean Air Day again this year, focusing on the theme of reducing air pollution and understanding how clean air supports healthy lungs. Through a series of fun and engaging mini-experiments, our students are exploring the science behind air quality and discovering how cleaner air gives us the best chance at strong lung capacity and better overall health. Together, we're learning how everyday actions can make a big difference—and how we can all help clear the air for a healthier future.
As part of our celebration, we’re also encouraging families to walk, cycle, or scoot to school where possible throughout the week of 16–25 June, helping to reduce traffic pollution around the school gates.
Some Clean Air Day activities for children can be found below:
Climate Action Plan Newsletter
Quiz about the lungs
Label the lungs
School Streets
We are very fortunate to operate a School Street every morning for drop off and again for the end of day pick up. This reduces the fumes outside of school and encourages more walking.
Travel to School
We actively promote Walk to School weeks. Most pupils travel by public transport, bike or scooter to school.
This term our KS2 Eco Councillors rolled up their sleeves and went hard at work to build bird boxes! As part of our efforts to encourage more wildlife around the school, these handmade homes will soon be placed around the school grounds to attract and support local birdlife. It was a fun and productive session, and we’re excited to see which feathered friends will move in soon!