LEEF Articles
London Schools Environment Awards
Encouraging environmental education and awareness
by Jamie Brown & Lisa Pook
The London Schools Environment Award (LSEA) is an annual award scheme, currently in its fifth year, which is open to all London’s primary schools (including independent schools). The scheme was set up to develop children’s sense of responsibility for their environment. It is run by the Mayor’s Office in partnership with Capital Standards, and external sponsors: this year Thames Water, EDF Energy & the Department for children, schools and families.
The scheme is organised centrally at the GLA but schools only compete with other registered schools in their borough, not against all primary schools across London. Therefore, there are 66 prizes to be won in the LSEA: £2,000 for the Distinction prize and £1,000 for the Highly Commended prize in each of London’s 33 boroughs. We work closely with a ‘link officer’ from each of the Capital Standards boroughs in aiding and facilitating the scheme at a local level.
Schools can submit projects on a choice of six themes and integrate as many of these themes as they wish:
- Litter and Local Environment Quality (compulsory theme)
- Waste and Recycling
- Water and wastewater
- Energy and climate change
- Transport to School
- Biodiversity
We have an LSEA song about litter called ‘Pick It Up!’ which all students are required to learn as part of the Litter and Local Environment Quality theme. We have also introduced a song called ‘H-2-Oh!’ about water conservation and schools are being encouraged to sing this on World Day for Water in March.
What does it take to win?
- Pupil and Community Involvement
Majority of students involved, events engaging outside participants - Effectiveness
Providing evidence of improvements following their actions - Sustainability
How the projects have been integrated into school life - Communication
Demonstrating awareness of the project throughout the school - Innovation
The project has shown real originality in its design
2007-2008 LSEA Timeline
Below is a timeline of the how the award has been run this academic year and information on how this year compares with previous years:
September
LSEA Booklets and invite to register
All primary schools in London (approx 2,400 including independent schools) are invited to register and are sent a copy of the LSEA booklet, a letter from the Mayor and information on how to register. There has been year on year growth in schools registering:
- 2003/4: 562 schools registered
- 2004/5: 647 schools registered
- 2005/6: 697 schools registered
- 2006/7: 752 schools registered
The LSEA team hope to have over 800 primary schools registered for the 2007/8 awards, with the potential to reach over 240,000 children across London.
October
LSEA Newsletter sent to all registered schools
November
Each primary school within London receives a London School Environment Awards information booklet
December
Free Environmental Toolboxes sent to all registered schools
The Environmental Toolboxes are sent out to schools, borough link officers and partner organisations. The contents of the toolbox is a mixture of literature (Growing Schools pack, 3R’s book) and practical environmental ‘tools’ for inspiring, and using in, projects (high visibility waistcoats, seeds).
February
LSEA Newsletter sent to all registered schools.
March
- LSEA Press Launch at City Hall – to be confirmed
- Thames Water Volunteer Week – date to be confirmed
- We run an employee volunteering scheme for the main sponsor each year, last year almost 100 schools asked for a Thames Water volunteer – particularly on Biodiversity, Water and Waste & Recycling themes. We do not have a final number of volunteers yet but we hope to get at least 50 schools a volunteer.
April
LSEA Newsletter sent to all registered schools
June 3rd 2007
Competition deadline
June
Judging to commence
Early July
The Mayor of London at an annual award ceremony in City Hall presents two children and a teacher from each of the winning schools with their cheques and trophies.
One of our aims this year is to increase the number of schools entering submissions into the competition. Many schools struggle for ideas, therefore for each of the six LSEA themes I would like to be able to direct schools to a set of web based curriculum linked activities, practical advice and Environmental Education organisations that are looking for schools to help. I would also like to provide them with some best practice advice from past winners on how to organise, delegate and manage their projects.
More information about the scheme can be found in the LSEA booklet, downloadable from our website: www.london.gov.uk/mayor/education/lsea. Please contact me if you have any questions about the scheme:
Lisa Pook
LSEA Project Officer – Mayor’s Office
Greater London Authority
City Hall
The Queen’s Walk
London SE1 2AA
Tel: 020 7983 4384
Fax: 020 7983 4008
Email: (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
