Please help!
As a general rule, I try to avoid too much school and education chat on here except in very general terms but tonight is an exception for a very particular reason - I need your help!
Environmental issues has been at the front of the national agenda for years and schools are supposed to be sustainable by 2020. For a few years now, Warwickshire County Council has supported the funding for a national awards scheme called 'Eco-Schools'. They have also funded a full time sustainable schools officer who has provided valuable advice and support. I learnt this week that Warwickshire in their wisdom now feel that the environment is no longer important and they plan to vote at cabinet next week to withdrawal ALL funding for sustainable projects. This can't happen!!
Please go to the site specially set up and leave a comment to express your support for environmental issues to remain a high priority in the funding of Warwickshire. I need everyone's support - not just those in education so please help!
Now to the news - I have the required plugs and cable to 'power up' the railway shed tomorrow as well as a tin of emulsion and a big brush! The forecast for Monday and Tuesday shows this...
....and the wording underneath says 'Heavy snow' - we'll see!!
posted by Khayamanzi @ 7:15 pm
5 comments
5 Comments:
As a fellow teacher I can fully understand your concern and frustration with this move by Warwickshire. Sometimes you just despair!!!!
I have visited the site and left a comment.
Ann
Hi Ann and thank you so much for your support. For a job surrounded by colleagues and children and can feel very lonely at times - can't it!
I hope you have a great couple of weeks up to half term.
Andy
Hello Andy, I was pointed to your post by a friend. I might be able to add a little context here as I am an environmental charity working with the County Council on this. Ecoschools was an interim measure before the sustainable schools programme was launched, the funding for ecoschools was simply a central funding pot that councils could apply for - the Ecoschools project is being phased out as the new programme is phased in. The council now have an officer wholly responsible for implementing the sustainable schools programme and they are actively working with us and others to trial the programme on the first schools in the area.
Don't be despondent because the sustainable schools program is underway and should be excellent.
All the best!
Rick and Ali
Family Smith on nb Happyhome!
Hi there and thanks for the comment and explanation. I'm not sure how the sustainable schools programme will impact/affect us at grass roots level. I do know that schools were encouraged heavily to get involved with the national Eco-School programme. We worked very hard and were the first Warwickshire school to gain our green flag award, (in fact it's up for renewal this year.) Are we now to ditch all this and move onto a different scheme? Does the new scheme offer a nationally recognised rewards system? Is this just a way for Warwickshire to switch to a 'cheaper' scheme in order to save cuts? Sorry to sound sceptical but I've worked for Warwickshire too long now! The resounding and over-whelming signals from Warwickshire is that they are more interested in their own budgets and kudos than they are of the needs of the children. I've seen it in every area and feel that their 'green credentials' is now simply being added to that list!
Unless convinced otherwise, we shall continue with the Eco-Schools scheme; with or without Warwickshires blessing!
....as for the officer you mentioned wholly responsible for sustainable issues, her position was discussed in cabinet this afternoon and was very doubtful to continue - I'm looking forward to the news tomorrow then if you know otherwise!
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