Bringing the curriculum to life

Recycling was introduced into the school’s curriculum and into the school buildings in a bid to improve the local environment and pass on good environmental behaviours to staff and children. Recycling was seen as a good way of raising awareness of the impact our lives can have on others, both locally and globally, and reflects the school’s values.

The school initially carried out a waste audit and formed an eco team – ‘Carbon Kids Care’ – to set up and run their recycling scheme and other sustainability initiatives.

This practical activity was supported by incorporating sustainability themes into the curriculum and in 2006 sustainability was made an integral part of teaching at the Cardinal Wiseman School. Citizenship, Geography and Religious Education developed cross-curricular programmes and ran school-wide special events every year to promote sustainability themes. Every curriculum area would link into the themes and assemblies and tutor group activities would also reinforce the week’s theme.

Other teaching examples include sustainability exhibitions and activities organised by the Year 9 Geography club, and PowerPoint presentations to promote recycling at school designed by the Year 10 ICT module.

Students take messages about recycling and sustainability home by involving their parents in homework, for example, investigating how best to recycle at home, designing containers for kitchen waste or posters for the family to clarify what can be recycled.

Teaching and learning about recycling has provided students with the opportunity to develop skills including teamwork, listening, visual, spoken and written communication and ICT competence. The students’ realisation that they can really make a difference with their recycling inititives has also boosted their self-confidence.
The school’s attitude towards consumption has changed since introducing recycling into the curriculum and the day to day life of the school. Teachers and students are more aware their responsibilities and the school tries to reduce waste wherever possible before it is created and close the recycling loop by buying recycled products.

Materials recycled:
White paper, cans, envelopes, coloured paper and old books, organic waste.
Containers used:
Transparent plastic boxes
Who collects your school’s recycling:
• White paper – collecvted by a private contractor
• Cans & other paper  - collected by Local authority (Ealing) by arrangement.
• Organic waste - composted on site by the school.
Frequency of collection:
Weekly
Date/year the recycling scheme was introduced:
2005

• Practical recycling projects with visible results create a great sense of achievement among students and bring the curriculum to life.
•  Recycling is a great issue to use to deliver the aims of the curriculum for a number of subjects in a way that pupils can relate to and engage with.