Eco Schools Scotland - Currie Community High School
www.ecoschoolsscotland.org
www.eco-schools.org
www.currie.edin.sch.uk
www.currieecology.org
Currie Community High School (CCHS) is located on the south-west edge of Edinburgh in a built-up suburban area. The school roll is currently 960.
Background
Environmental projects started in the school back in 1990, when a group of S6 pupils entered a competition to improve a square mile of their local environment. They investigated the history of a strip of ancient woodland at the eastern edge of the school and worked hard to clear years of accumulated litter from the local burn. Inspired by this, the school, with support from the local community, took on the management of the woodland. Since then, the school has also developed other areas of the grounds for use both in the curriculum for teaching and learning, linked to science and geography and also as a resource and amenity for the local community. As far back as 1990, CCHS introduced a rotational course in environmental issues for S1 and S2 pupils. Local and global issues were discussed and practical work in the grounds undertaken. Since 2003, this course has been replaced by a rotational course in sustainable development for S1 and S2 pupils, looking at life 50 years ago, life today and life in 50 years time. It encourages pupils to work both independently and in teams to look at a range of topics - transport, the environment, school, work and leisure, food and diet, health, fashion and the home. Pupils have to investigate topics such as waste, pollution, climate change, natural resources, ethics and economics.
Programme Implementation
CCHS gained its first Eco Schools Green Flag Award in May 2004, the second high school in Edinburgh to achieve such an award. CCHS is also one of six pilot schools in the Sustainable Secondary Schools Project (SSSP), an initiative that has been running since 2001. The six schools involved have been developing practical approaches to the delivery of SDE.
CCHS's Eco Schools contibution to the SSSP project has been considerable. In particular, the school has developed large parts of the grounds for use as a curriculum resource. The 'ecology sites' created have replaced habitats lost during urbanisation of the area, maintain and enhance biodiversity in the grounds, provide a valuable teaching resource, promote an understanding of the need to look after the environment for future generations and enhance the school and its surroundings, providing an amenity for the local community. Habitats that have been created include a burn, pond, marsh area, hedgerow, meadow, mature woodland with native planting and willow coppice. There is also a greenhouse, a Japanese garden, a nest box with video link to record the breeding cycle of the nesting birds, a solar powered fountain and organic vegetable garden.
Health has been another issue covered by the school for both the SSSP and Eco Schools work looking at such issues as diet (School cafeteria), sport/exercise, alcohol and drug abuse, mental health and well-being and smoking. A 'Green' vending machine has also been installed.
Litter and waste are other issues addressed at CCHS. The school has a rigorous litter policy and recycles cans, printer cartridges and mobile 'phones, paper, plastic bottles and composts organic waste. The reduction of waste is also a focus, especially for office and teaching staff and for the school cafeteria.
The school, built in 1962, was refurbished in 1998 and the brief to architects emphasised the school's commitment to the environment, with request for features that reduced the environmental impact of the building. This included low carbon dioxide loading/high levels of insulation, low CFC materials used, timber from renewable sources, low energy lighting, natural ventilation, heat recovery unit and energy management system. The school is currently looking at fitting a renewable energy device and is in discussion with the Scottish Community Renewables Initiative regarding this. The schools hopes to install a ground source heat pump, a wind turbine to drive the pump, solar water heating and photovoltaic panels. Monitoring and display equipment will be included to provide visible evidence of electricity generated and data that can be used for teaching.
Most pupils live in the catchment area of the school, so walk or travel by bus to school. The biggest issues for the school regarding travel are, therefore, road safety and pollution from vehicles. Pupils using equipment sited in the grounds undertake air quality monitoring.
Most departments have been involved in the school's Eco Schools/SSSP work. For example, art and design has produced models from recycled materials and created posters on global warming and energy saving; modern studies has looked at fair trade issues, the rights and responsibilities and the UN rights of the child; chemistry has studied acid rain and pollution; music has looked at world music. The school has also recently established a link with a secondary school in Kenya. Materials and information exchanged are used in modern studies, IT, drama, English, art and design, and music.
CCHS's Eco Schools work has increased the understanding of the concept of sustainable development and the need for change to achieve a more sustainable future. Participation in both Eco Schools and SSSP has provided the school with a focus and a framework to develop and extend SDE in school.
"Education, in short, is humanity's best hope and most effective means in the quest to achieve sustainable development." (UNESCO 1997)
Currie Community High School
31 Dolphin Avenue
Currie
Edinburgh
EH14 5RD
Tel : 0131 449 2165
Background
The Eco Schools programme is an international initiative designed to encourage whole-school action for the environment. It is an award scheme that accredits schools that make a commitment to continuously improve their environmental performance. It is also a learning resource that raises awareness of environmental and sustainable development issues throughout activities linked to curriculum subjects and areas. Involvement in the programme empowers pupils to make decisions and to take action about these issues in the school and the wider community. Involvement in the programme is linked to the Scottish Executive Education Department's (SEED's) National Priorities, specifically relating to values and citizenship education. Evidence shows, however, that involvement can have a beneficial and positive effect on other National Priorities, relating to such issues as pupil motivation, confidence and self-esteem, discipline, inclusion, attainment & achievement and whole school ethos.