We are delighted to share that we have been awarded with the Eco-Schools’ Green Flag Award with distinction! Our academy has been praised for adopting an inclusive approach taken to form our Eco-committee, and for giving everyone a voice to make them feel valued, meeting the needs of every student’s learning style.
Eco-schools were also impressed that our academy has built a polytunnel, despite challenges with the unpredictable weather, on our grounds to create a controlled environment for growing plants and vegetables, enabling year-round cultivation and various educational opportunities related to agriculture, biology and sustainability. It allows a space for students to learn about gardening, sustainability and the environment in a hands-on practical way.
Vegetables, currently growing at our academy are pumpkins, onions, spring onions, tomatoes and leeks. These are in the early stages, but the students have grown them from seeds and are very proud of them. We are hoping to use them in the school kitchens or give them to students to take home or use in SEMH led cooking sessions.
Not only this, but we are also working with the local community in more ways than one. We have been working in partnership with ‘Immingham in Bloom,’ to grow plants that are bee and butterfly friendly and are placed at the front of the academy, as well as on the town’s main road.
We also have a plant ‘swap shop,’ which is open to the public twice a week. The students and staff of the academy place a plant trolley outside the academy reception on Pelham Road, where members of the public are encouraged to rehome or swap various plants and vegetable plant for free. This gains recognition from the local community as we advertise the plant swap shop on social media.
We are also proud to share that we received recognition from Sir David Attenborough, for being a ‘School for Nature,’ and achieved a Silver Award from the Woodland Trust’s Green Tree Schools Award, proving that we continuously work around the care for nature and wildlife.
Ms S Bailey said: “As Eco Club Lead, I have loved being able to work with students to raise awareness about environmental issues, promote sustainability and engage in eco-friendly activities."
"I feel that the Oasis Eco club provides students with a platform to learn about conservation, recycling and taking care of the environment through fun and educational projects. I feel very proud to work in a school with an active eco club and feel that the eco club gives students and staff the opportunity to make a positive impact on their school, environment and community.”
Principal Ms S McLoughlin said: “Ms Bailey has done an incredible job. Congratulations to the academy eco-club on yet another fantastic award. We hope for our students to continue with the good work going forward.”