Flying the Flag for Eco Schools!

We are so proud to receive the prestigious Eco-Schools Green Flag award with distinction over the summer! Look out for our flag which is flying proudly over the Paddock.

A huge thank you to our Eco-Committee, led by Mr Bradley Rivers, which has worked hard to promote sustainability and raise environmental awareness across the school community over the past 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.

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 high standard of sustainable practice. Students and staff who earn this award deserve recognition for their dedication toward protecting our planet. Every day, they demonstrate that each of us can contribute to making our planet a better, more sustainable, place.’

The Eco-Schools Team was highly complimentary of the work of the King’s Eco-Committee commenting, “Your dedicated Eco-Committee adapted and successfully delivered inspiring projects and positive impacts for their school and our planet. Perhaps their work can inspire others to join in too! Your beautifully designed Eco-Code conveys a powerful message that really resonates with our team. We love the addition of quotes to truly inspire your school community – what a fabulous idea!”

More details about the Eco-Schools Award Programme can be found at https://www.eco-schools.org.uk/about/what-is-eco-schools/

The Eco-Committee is just one part of the King’s ongoing Sustainability Strategy, which is currently being reviewed and enhanced.

Other sustainability projects and initiatives undertaken recently include:

• The installation of solar panels to the roof of the swimming pool.
• The addition of an energy saving pool cover.
• Changes to the pool filtration system, saving approximately 1 million litres of water annually.
• The installation of thermostatic radiator valves in a number of our older buildings.
• A detailed review of our waste management and recycling (ongoing).
• A grant from The Woodland Trust to plant 30 new trees at the Alps this autumn.
• The introduction of two bee hives in Satis House gardens.

The choir also had the opportunity to sing the climate change hymn, “We live in God’s Great Garden” at the end of last term which featured on Radio Kent and will be shared further by Medway Council. This thought-provoking hymn, written by Canon Giles, Governor reminds us of the need to look after everything sharing our planet and complements the work we are doing on sustainability across the school.

Don’t forget Green Day on Friday 20th September, which marks the launch of our Green Curriculum. All pupils have been asked to wear green to school and will have the opportunity to participate in a series of events focussed on sustainability and climate change!

Most importantly, there are a significant number of projects and initiatives planned for the coming year and we will provide updates on our progress across our social media channels.