The Braintree District Cultural Education Partnership (BDCEP) awarded funding for ten green projects at the third annual Schools Eco Event.
The event was hosted by Braintree District Council at the I-Construct Innovation Hub.
The Dragons’ Den style event saw groups of schoolchildren from across the district pitch their schools’ eco projects to a panel of judges. Thanks to the children’s brilliant work and engaging presentations, every school succeeded in persuading the dragons to help fund their projects, in the amount of £130 each.
The children, from primary, secondary and special schools, spoke enthusiastically about their projects, which covered a wide range of areas and demonstrated a creative and well-informed approach to sustainability. The event also provided an opportunity for them to practise their public speaking and persuasion skills.
Richard Park from Anglian Water gave a talk about the importance of schoolchildren’s help in conserving water at school, and Antony Stark of the Braintree Beekeepers Association showcased a special portable hive with a viewing panel. During their break, the children swarmed around the bee display, asking questions and learning how to spot Asian hornets.
The schools and projects to receive funding are:
- Bocking Primary School, for a wormery
- Beckers Green Primary School, to install food waste bins in their playground
- The Edith Borthwick School, for improvements to their existing gardens
- Alec Hunter Academy, for eco-friendly lighting
- Notley Green Primary, to launch a uniform reuse and waste reduction project
- Holy Family Catholic Primary School, for a bee friendly garden
- Great Bradfords Junior to improve their existing allotment
- Lyons Hall Primary School, for improvements to their sustainable garden
- De Vere Primary School, for an outside learning area
- Great Bradfords Infants School, to help grow their own snacks.
Robert Rose, Chair of BDCEP, said: “We were really impressed by the students’ presentation skills and the passion they showed for preserving the environment, promoting nature and driving sustainability through such imaginative projects at their schools. They acted as true ambassadors and were inspiring role models for their fellow students.”
Councillor Richard van Dulken, Lead Member for Environment and Waste Strategy and Deputy to the Cabinet Member for Transformation, the Environment & Customer Services, said: “Congratulations to all ten schools involved in this wonderful event. It is a fantastic opportunity for the district’s children to think practically about sustainability and the natural world. I am delighted that the Council can support all these ventures through the BDCEP and look forward to hearing more from them as they progress.”