Serco sponsorship for Eco-Schools programme

About the sponsorship

Thanks to a generous sponsorship of £10,000 available to us from Serco from March 08 to December 08, Coventry Eco-Schools (primary and primary special schools) can now benefit from a range of free support and visits, plus a cash grant of £ 75 for 20 lucky schools.

The aim of the sponsorship is to involve and enthuse children in carrying out environmental activities in schools and their communities through the Eco-Schools programme.

Under the sponsorship, selected primary schools will benefit from a range of FREE:

Workshop sessions on Eco-Schools Champions and various environmental issues like Energy, Climate Change, Waste Reduction, Biodiversity, School Grounds and Water Conservation; and free materials like water butts, compost bins, energy saving light bulbs, trees, save-a-flush bags, eco-kettles etc. Two schools will benefit from an action project of creating a wildlife area and improving their school grounds.
Training of teachers: GLOBE, TIDE, Steps to Eco-Schools
Educational visits to Garden Organic, Brandon Marsh, Coombe Country Park for children from special schools and priority neighbourhoods
Cash grant of £75 for 20 schools that achieve the next level of award – Bronze, Silver or Green Flag
Serco Awards for the Best Eco-School, Best Eco-School student, teacher; Best Eco-Code and other categories at a celebration event to be held in Jan 2009

Volunteer development is also a key component of this project where a team of 2-3 volunteers will be contributing their skills and time to the overall objective of improving the schools' environment and developing skills of students.

Who is involved?

Under the Serco sponsorship, Coventry City Council and Warwickshire Wildlife Trust in partnership will be delivering various activities to the schools along with other organisations like Garden Organic, TIDE (Teachers in Development Education) and others.

Which schools will benefit?

The project is open to both existing Eco-Schools (at any level) and to schools that are not yet Eco-Schools. Schools that are yet to get themselves registered to the Eco-Schools programme are also encouraged to take part in this scheme. Schools can register their school at the Eco-Schools website (Registration is Free for schools)

Follow the link for the Final results of the selection of schools (pdf) under the Serco sponsorship. The results are based on completed booking forms sent by schools. A total of 40 schools in Coventry sent in their completed booking forms to be selected for the various opportunities under the Serco Eco-Schools sponsorship. Schools are requested to make a note of what training, assembly sessions, materials, educational visits and other activities that they have been selected for. Details of all the support, activities and grants available to schools can also be found in the attached Letter to schools (pdf) and School Information Sheet (pdf).

Opportunities still available:

There are still cash grants of £75 available for 8 more schools till October 2008 (valid as on 5th June 2008). Schools that win the next level of award in the Eco-Schools programme can avail this grant on a first come first served basis. Schools that are yet to get themselves registered to the Eco-Schools programme are also encouraged to take part in this scheme. Schools can register their school at the Eco-Schools website (Registration is Free for schools)

Up till now, 12 schools that are eligible to get the cash grant of £75 (by virtue of getting their next level of awards in the Eco-Schools programme during Mar 08 - Oct 08) are: Howes Community, Limbrick Wood, St. Andrew's, Stoke, Three Spires special, Earlsdon, Longford Park, Moseley, St. John Fisher, Whitley Abbey, Hill Farm and Christ the King Catholic infant school. Congratulations to all the schools that have won the cash grant.

Serco Awards for the Best Eco-School, Best Eco-School Teacher/ students; Best Eco-Code and various other achievements under different categories will be announced in a celebration event in January 2009. Schools are requested to keep a record of all their work, take photographs of work done, achievements etc in their schools. Schools will have an opportunity for taking part in the celebration event, display their work, give presentations and of course receive awards!