BAE Systems have shared a £35,000 funding pot with schools across Furness for use in sustainability and environmental projects.
A total of 37 schools received funding to help with projects including transforming school gardens, staging an educational sustainability day and buying a plastic shredder. Infant and junior schools could apply for up to £750 each and secondary schools could apply for £1,500.
Cartmel Priory School used its funding to stage a sustainability day. Pupils from years seven to 10 attended workshops where they designed an industrial facility operating solely on renewable energy.
At Lindale CE Primary, the funding was spent on making the school grounds more wildlife-friendly. The children came up with ideas such as planting flowers for bees, creating a pond and a bird feeding station.
Lindale teacher Kim Law said: “The children really loved spending time outdoors working together to improve the school grounds for wildlife. Since we did this, they have seen the new plants grow and flower and this has already been beneficial in our KS1 science lessons on growth.”
Leven Valley CE Primary School, in Backbarrow, which is already net carbon zero, used its funding to work with Grizedale Arts on a video and filmmaking workshop for year five and six pupils.
Headteacher Ian Nicol said: “Across the school children, staff and families are now more aware and have a greater understanding of climate change and environmental sustainability issues. They have a knowledge of how Leven Valley School reduced its own carbon footprint over a number of years. Year 5 and 6 children have developed their film making skills and knowledge too.”
Talking about the funding, Neil Doherty, BAE Systems submarines social impact manager added: “The applications we received from schools were all really different but all demonstrated the main objective of increasing knowledge and interest in environmental issues, which was great to see.
“We recognise this is a very important issue and hope that the funding provided will have enhanced the excellent work schools are already delivering.”
