A SCHOOL near Ellesmere Port has been received a ‘highly commended’ from the Primary Awards for Green Education in School (PAGES) after pupils embraced a new eco-friendly project.

Most people will throw an empty plastic bottle straight into the recycling bin without a second thought. But, for Frodsham Primary Academy pupils those containers can enjoy a useful new life before they head to the recycling plant, including being transformed into furniture for the school grounds!

Their innovative approach has attracted the attention of judges at a new green awards scheme for UK schools, which aims to encourage environmental education for young people aged 5-11.

Almost 35,000 children across the country were involved in the creation of entries for this year’s competition and Frodsham’s pupils’ efforts won a ‘highly commended’ in the PAGES green creators category, winning lots of kudos and £100 for the school.

The children submitted a report on the work they had been doing since last summer to make ‘eco bricks’ out of plastic bottles and containers, which they used to construct a sofa and stools for their forest school area in which they have also created a bumblebee friendly zone by planting bee friendly plants. Spare eco bricks have been used to make bumblebee models.

The project was part of a programme of eco activities including an eco-day which featured a presentation of their creations and classroom work to parents as well as a fashion show featuring the children parading in clothes fashioned out of rubbish.

Teacher Alice Pemberton said: “The children are so proud of this award. They’ve really embraced these green activities and they have learned so much about the importance of sustainability and preserving the natural world.”

Frodsham Primary Academy is one of eight primary schools that make up Warrington Primary Academy Trust (WPAT), a community of more than 2,300 children aged 2 to 11. WPAT was formed in 2016 and quickly developed a national reputation for excellent standards. WPAT provides staff at all its schools with support, expertise and professional development so that they can provide the very best education standards for their children.