Eco-conscious students at the Deaf Academy have received coveted international recognition for their work promoting sustainability and environmental awareness.
Initiatives run by a committee of students and staff over the past year at the Academy include food waste management, recycling projects, creating a wildflower area and building bug hotels. They also ran a successful clothes swap to promote recycling and waste reduction, raising over £300 to be reinvested in the scheme.
Their dedication has now earnt the Academy a prestigious Green Flag award, with distinction, as part of the Eco-Schools programme. Established in 1994, the global programme aims to empower young people to protect our planet and now operates in over 70 countries.
Young people at the Deaf Academy followed Eco-Schools’ ’seven-steps’ framework to create positive change. A student-led committee was created to spearhead the Academy’s environment initiatives.
They first conducted a thorough review of their school environment and curriculum, before creating a vision statement video which they signed in British Sign Language. They then developed a year-long plan of action, with a focus on reducing litter, creating biodiversity and minimising waste.
The project included learning about sustainability in the classroom, ensuring students could share their knowledge with others and apply their eco-awareness at home and in other environments.
Deputy Head of School, Jo Fison, who chaired the committee, said: “Students in our Eco Schools Committee have worked incredibly hard and are thrilled to be awarded the Eco Schools Green Flag with distinction.”
The Academy also partnered with the Budleigh Salterton Lions Club to help keep the community clean by picking up litter around areas of Exmouth.
Vice District Governor and former President of Budleigh Salterton Lions Club Richard Allen said: “We were delighted to have the opportunity to help the Deaf Academy become an Eco-School and achieve the prestigious Green Flag award.
“The students have done a fantastic job protecting nature and habitats by removing rubbish from our local environment and preventing harmful materials from entering the sea and harming ecosystems, marine life and the community.”
Students can log their Eco-Schools committee hours towards their Young Leaders in Service awards, an initiative lead by the Lions Club. This involves serving the local community, serving their families and serving the wider community.
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