The Brunts Academy, in Mansfield, has won a prestigious Eco-Schools Green Flag award, which celebrates schools across the country that are achieving sustainability excellence.

The academy established a Brunts Eco Council in 2020, when the school community decided it wanted to take steps towards becoming more sustainable.

Under the guidance of lead teachers Alex Emery, Georgia Archer, Craig Foster, and Nicolle Watson, the council reviewed its current level of sustainability and then set out three main areas to focus on for improvement — litter, waste, and water.

Students then helped to develop a whole-school action plan with clear aims, including a litter collection rota, uniform swap-shop, the planting of more than 60 trees, securing funding for the installation of water fountains to reduce plastic bottle waste, greater levels of recycling, a seasonal food garden, and the creation of eco activity sessions to educate students on how to be more sustainable.

The Green Flag judges were particularly impressed with how students took ownership of the campaign.

They commented on the creation of a large Eco Council, its initial environmental review, and how the resulting Eco Code action plan was SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time Bound).

The judges also remarked on the quality of other aspects of the students’ work, which included taking meeting minutes as well as planning and presenting ideas to academy trustees.

Their final report said the brilliant Eco-Code was punchy and creative, setting out tangible and accessible calls to action the whole school could get behind.

Academy principal Carl Atkin said: “Everyone involved should take immense pride in their achievement. It’s a great demonstration of how our students are going the extra mile, in addition to their school work, to enable their passion for environmentalism and help the planet.”

Wayne Norrie, interim chief executive of The Evolve Trust, which runs the academy, added: “I have seen the incredible amount of hard work and dedication that the students have invested in this sustainability campaign.

“I am proud of the Eco Committee, the staff supporting them and the collective improvements that the school community has made to protect our planet for future generations.”