St Christopher’s school shortlisted for prestigious Climate Week Awards

Climate Week Awards celebrate Accrington’s local eco heroSt Christopher’s Church of England High School and Sixth Form, in Accrington, Lancashire, has been named amongst the country’s low carbon leaders after being shortlisted for a prestigious Climate Week Award.Selected as a finalist in the category of Best Educational Initiative, St Christopher’s will joined other finalists and eminent individuals at the Climate Week reception at Lancaster House, London on 12 March.The Climate Week Awards recognise the very best of what Britain has to offer in combating climate change, including outstanding achievements by individuals, businesses and communities.Climate Week was Britain’s biggest climate change campaign and was backed by the Prime Minister and Sir Paul McCartney.One of four organisations shortlisted for Best Educational Initiative, St Christopher’s impressed Climate Week. The Lancashire school’s Pledge 4 Veg campaign asked local people to promise to grow their own vegetables in return for a starter pot containing onions and garlic. and the local Accrington Stanley and Blackburn Rovers football teams, to promote their scheme. In all 2,000 starter pots were given away, which the students estimate saved 3,000kg of carbon by reducing the need to import produce. Taking part in the Roots & Shoots programme has enhanced their understanding of sustainability. The campaign also led to local primary and secondary schools setting up the Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Eco Cluster group which meet every half term to discuss ways of improving sustainability.The panel of eminent judges included activist Bianca Jagger, Paul Gilding, former CEO of Greenpeace International, Tony Juniper, Special Adviser to the Prince of Wales’ Charities, Sir Robert Watson, the government’s chief climate scientist and Tim Smit, founder of the Eden project.Commenting on the shortlist, Darren Towers, Head of Environment and Sustainability Leadership at EDF said: “The pupils and staff at St Christopher’s school successfully found a way to engage the local community in sustainability issues. Food is an issue that matters to everyone, and the success of ‘Pledge 4 Veg’ is testimony both to the appetite for home-grown food and to the hard work of St Christopher’s.”Wendy Litherland, Sustainability Co-ordinator “It is a huge honour to be considered for this award alongside so many inspiring entries. We can all do our bit to help ourselves and others to live more sustainably. We are thrilled to have the pupils work recognised.”Some Pictures from when BBC Radio Lancashire visited the other week.