Green Flag Award

Highcliffe St Mark Primary is proud to be part of the Eco-Schools programme and to work towards the Green Flag Award, which recognises schools taking action to protect our planet. Each year, we focus on three Eco-Schools topics; this year, our priorities are Biodiversity, Transport, and Waste.

Our Eco Representatives (two per class) meet with Year 6 Eco Captains fortnightly in Eco Council meetings to plan projects and help make our school greener. We also share updates with the wider community through Highcliffe Headlines.

Biodiversity

Biodiversity is the variety of living things and their habitats. At HSMP, as well as through our curriculum, we use Forest Schools and Fresh Air Club to explore and care for our diverse school grounds. There is woodland, a pond, a butterfly garden and plenty of open space to explore.

Transport

We encourage sustainable travel to school—walking, scooting, cycling, and public transport—to reduce pollution and support children’s health and wellbeing. Pupils can earn Active Travel badges for their efforts.

Waste

We aim to reduce, reuse, and recycle across the school:

• Recycling: Every classroom has recycling bins and a soft plastics collection. Staffrooms also have clearly labelled recycling bins.

• We carefully monitor our food waste and have introduced systems to reduce this such as pre-ordering lunches. 

• We've switched to reusable dishes for our desserts at lunchtimes and our Eco Council have presented ways to reduce waste in packed lunches to the whole school.

• Crafts & Decorations: Christmas decorations now include recycled materials, and we collect cards and bottle tops for future projects.

• Energy & Litter: Classes participate in Switch Off Fortnight, monitor energy use, and are preparing to take part in litter-picking locally.