National eco award

PUPILS and teachers from a Shetland school are celebrating after scooping a national eco-award and pocketing a cash prize of £3,000.

Dunrossness primary beat off stiff competition from hundreds of schools across the UK to win the Green Schools Revolution award, sponsored by The Co-operative Group.

Torpoint Community College, from Cornwall, was the only other national winner. There were also 12 regional winners.

The national competition invited schools to showcase the work they had been doing since joining the Green Schools Revolution scheme.

Dunrossness impressed judges with the way the school managed to bring the spirit of the programme to life by creating outdoor learning areas, growing vegetables, carrying out regular litter patrols and teaching children about renewable energy.

Head teacher Lesley Simpson said pupils and staff were over the moon about their achievement.

“This substantial prize will help us to realise our plans for developing the school grounds in order to further promote outdoor learning and an understanding and appreciation for the world around us.

“A special mention must go to teacher Gina Scanlan for her work with our eco committee promoting environmental learning across the school and in compiling our entry, and to our janitor John MacKenzie for his commitment to our projects and maintenance of all the outdoor learning areas.”

Regional secretary for the Co-op in Scotland, Gerard Hill, said everyone was impressed by the high standards of entries.

“We had some very strong entries, so Dunrossness primary school should be very proud of the work it is doing and I hope by winning this competition it can take its eco plans to the next level.

“The school is a shining example of sustainability in action that will no doubt inspire others.”