As the new school year kicks off, children all over the country can look forward to lessons in greener living thanks to The Co‑operative’s Green Schools Revolution.
At The Co-operative we know that in order to secure a brighter, greener future, children must be well informed about everything from sustainable energy and healthy living to where their food comes from. That’s where our Green Schools Revolution comes in. It’s an inspiring sustainability education programme with resources, hands-on activities and trips designed to encourage school children, from five to 16, to think differently about the world in which they’re growing up.
Lesson plans are linked to the National Curriculum and they’re centred around the themes of healthy living, energy and water. This means children are covering topics such as the importance of Fairtrade farming and the types of sustainable energy that are being developed in the UK. Our website www.greenschools.coop also has resources for you to help your children at home, including games, puzzles and water- and energy-saving tips.
What else is involved?
Around 3,500 children now take part in The Co-operative Walking Bus, which is essentially a group of children who walk to school together, accompanied by two adults. We provide a free kit including high-visibility vests.
Children can experience hands-on learning with a school trip to one of The Co-operative Farms - currently available in Leicester, Hereford, Berwickshire, Goole, Perthshire, Warwickshire and Gloucestershire.
More than 98% of The Co-operative’s electricity is generated from wind and water power. We want to inspire young people to take action and what better way than with a visit to our education centre at The Co-operative’s Coldham Wind Farm in Cambridgeshire?
How can you take part?
If you know a local school that would benefit from the Green Schools Revolution, direct them to our website – www.greenschools.coop. Registration is absolutely free to all UK primary and secondary schools, simply fill in your school’s details (it must be a teacher from the school who registers) and enjoy access to an exciting range of online resources while you wait for your starter pack to arrive. Come on, join the Green Schools Revolution today!