STAFF from schools across the borough met with local businesses online on Friday, November 20, to receive Greener Schools Awards at the Solihull Sustainable Schools Conference.
The awards are designed to encourage sustainable activities in schools while sharing ideas about the environment.
The Mayor of Solihull Councillor Stuart Davis congratulated all the schools for taking part in very difficult circumstances.
He also thanked the eco-leaders, teachers and other school staff for their hard work and acknowledged the contribution of local businesses.
“Historically, there was only one way of doing things: one way of having a conference, and one way to be with the environment,” he said.
“By adapting so quickly over 2020, we have shown that, where there’s a will, there’s a way. This can be applied to the environment and sustainability too.”
This year Business Champions presented the following Greener School awards:
Robert Elliot from Solihull Chamber of Commerce presented Levels 1, 2 and 3 awards to Monkspath Junior and Infant School.
David Murphy from Telephone Europe presented Levels 1, 2 and 3 awards to Balsall Common Primary and Olton Primary School.
Andy Holding from Birmingham Airport presented Levels 1, 2 and 3 awards St Patricks School.
Stacey Ryan from Oxbridge presented a Level 1 award to Blossomfield Infant School
Elec Services Ltd championed Dorrridge Primary. They achieved Levels 1 and 2 but didn’t attend.
Birmingham Business Park championed St Annes RC School. They achieved Level 1but didn’t attend.
Each school receives an English maple wooden trophy, hand crafted at Newlands Bishop Farm which gives people with learning disabilities and mental health conditions work experiences in a range of areas including woodwork.
The conference also included information and sessions on energy saving technologies, low-cost energy efficiency measures and the schools’ energy programme, the Less CO2 programme led by the Ashden Trust, Fairtrade Foundation, LEAF UK, Practical Action and the Appliance Recycling Group.
Wildlife Ways – a £16.8 million borough-wide project, part-financed by the ERDF, the council’s Sustainable Travel team, Fairtrade Fortnight and Switch off Fortnight, Global Goals teaching activities and the Interclimate Network.
