Pupils at St Lawrence CE Primary School in Alton are flying the green flag as eco-champions.

During the 2024-25 academic year they promoted sustainability and raised environmental awareness among each other, staff and neighbouring residents.

Their efforts have been rewarded with the internationally recognised Eco-Schools Green Flag accreditation.

Headteacher Fiona Micklefield was delighted and keen to share the news with the people of Alton.

She said: “We have been awarded the Green Flag eco award and wanted to let you know about it!”

The Eco-Schools Green Flag accreditation was established in 1994 and has been awarded to schools in 100 countries. In England it involves a million children each year.

At St Lawrence a pupil-led Eco-Committee, supported by staff Lois Brown and Imogen Parks, embraced Eco-Schools' seven-step framework for environmental action and sustainability.

They began by reviewing the school environment and curriculum from an ecological perspective, before creating a detailed year-long action plan focused on three key areas - promoting biodiversity, reducing litter and improving the school grounds.

Pupils took part in the RSPB’s Big School Birdwatch and developed links with St Lawrence Eco Church and local organisations. A grant from Resurrection Furniture helped fund outdoor learning resources.

Alton Natural History Society chair Cathy Wilson offered advice on increasing biodiversity in the Spiritual Garden and donated £100 to support future eco-projects.

Key Stage 2 children and the school’s Global Ambassadors attended an Alton Climate Action Network meeting at Alton College.

They shared what they learned about waste reduction with the school and joined a community litter pick in Anstey Park.

Each year group planted a herb, and the Eco-Team are maintaining the Spiritual Garden - filling the bird bath, watering plants and collecting compost bin materials.

The children are using the school grounds more, including for collective worship. The space now supports outdoor learning, with enough benches for a whole class and a large blackboard, enhancing teaching and engagement in a natural environment.

In its report on St Lawrence, the Eco-Schools team said: “Your greatest success was transforming the Spiritual Garden into a calming eco-space, providing pupils with meaningful opportunities to deepen their connection with nature and promoting long-term positive impacts on biodiversity and sustainable eco-practices. Well done!

“We loved how your school developed a partnership with St Lawrence Eco Church to create impactful biodiversity projects, such as building a hedgehog home with the help of the Men’s Shed. This gave pupils a hands-on connection to their local environment and inspired ongoing stewardship.

“It was fantastic how the whole school was involved in planting sunflowers and herbs, encouraging every pupil to take responsibility for biodiversity care. This cultivates a culture of ownership and pride that supports long-term environmental impact.

“We also enjoyed hearing about your innovative Bin-It Brigade and community litter-picking efforts, which brought together families and provided practical lessons in eco-litter management, empowering pupils to make positive changes both at school and at home.”

Eco-Schools England manager Adam Flint said of the children: “At Keep Britain Tidy, we are delighted to recognise their achievements with the Eco-Schools Green Flag.”