Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron visited Appleby Grammar School at the invitation of the school’s eco-council.
Taking part in a school assembly, he shared how he entered politics and his role as a Member of Parliament. He fielded a host of questions on topics including farming, flood prevention, energy generation, job creation, migration and animal rights. He then joined a meeting of the eco-council and led a workshop giving valuable advice on public speaking.
Students at the school recently received international accreditation for their exceptional work in promoting sustainability and raising environmental awareness among their peers. The school will now be flying the Eco-Schools Green Flag, awarded (with merit) for actions taken last academic year. The Eco-Schools programme, established in 1994, is now implemented in over 70 countries worldwide. In 2023-24, more than 1.4 million pupils attended an Eco-School in England.
The students used Eco-Schools’ tried-and-trusted seven-step framework to create positive change. Initially, a student-led eco-council was established. This committee took responsibility for spearheading their school’s environmental initiatives, first conducting a thorough review of their school environment and curriculum before developing a year-long plan of action. Their plan focused on three key issues — biodiversity, waste and marine ecosystems.
This year’s eco-council chair, Year 13 student Olivia, said: “The eco-council has helped improve the school community, as well as our local environment. As a school, over the past year, we have focused on marine conservation, issues on waste and the biodiversity in our local area.
“As the leader of the biodiversity group, it has been a pleasure to watch the transition of things like our new wildflower garden, the new diversity in our woodlands due to the bat and squirrel boxes we made and installed, and our cleaner surroundings, thanks to the litter picking we did.
“Tim Farron coming in for a meeting was extremely helpful, not only for his input on the eco-council but also for his insights on how to get into politics, offering work experience placements and sharing his story on becoming an MP.”
Year 10 student Libby, who had written to Mr Farron to invite him to the school, stated: “Having Tim Farron as part of our eco-council meeting was a great opportunity to share all the amazing things we achieved last year. We have made a big difference and we haven’t finished yet. Tim helped us open our eyes to many more opportunities, and to remember that a lot of little things can make a big difference.”
Eco-Schools England manager Adam Flint said: “The Eco-Schools’ Green Flag is an international benchmark that demonstrates a commitment to fighting climate change and a high standard of sustainable practice.
“Students and staff who earn this award deserve recognition for their dedication towards protecting our planet.”
