Distinction – Eco-Schools Green Flag

Congratulations are in order across both the Prep and Senior sites as we celebrate being awarded a prestigious Distinction in the Eco-Schools Green Flag Campaign!

Since 1994, the Eco-Schools Green Flag 7-step programme has been empowering schools across the UK to take action on critical environmental issues. With many pupils passionate about protecting the planet, the programme helps young people turn their concerns about climate change, biodiversity loss, and plastic pollution into meaningful, hands-on solutions.

Truro School is proud to have collaborated with Eco-Schools 7-Step programme in 2024 and to be recognised for our efforts with a prestigious Eco-Schools Green Flag, which our pupils are proud to display.

On receipt of a Distinction for our hard work, special recognition goes to Sustainability Prefect Megan Day, alongside Ben M. and Yuqi L, who head up the school’s Eco Committee. Eco Schools praised the School’s efforts, stating, “Well done for creating such a large Eco-Committee! Pupils in your school are clearly very passionate about environmental issues and willing to go above and beyond to create positive impacts in their local community and beyond.”

As part of the 7-step Eco-Schools programme, our Eco Committee conducted a comprehensive review of the school’s environmental impact and created the ‘Truro School Eco Code,’ which has been adopted by both pupils and staff across the Prep and Senior sites.

T – Turn off lights and suitable switches

R – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

U – Understand climate change

R – Reinstate wildlife

O – Only you can make a difference

E – Everyone can help

C – Commit to make a difference

O – One piece of plastic can kill

S – Schools can help

C – Clear up waste

H – Help as much as you can

O – One action saves many

O – Only use recyclable plastic

L – Look at what you are doing

Our passionate staff, working together across both sites, have fostered a sense of shared purpose around our eco initiatives, which include:

• The Prep School’s achievement of a John Muir Award, an environmental recognition that encourages everyone to connect with, enjoy, and care for wild spaces.
• Energy-saving stickers designed by student Isso, now displayed throughout the Senior School, encouraging everyone to turn off lights and switches when not in use to conserve energy and reduce waste.
• Engaging World Earth Day activities every April.
• Extra-curricular, environmentally-focused clubs, such as the Biodiversity and Gardening Club, open to all pupils.
• Organised beach cleans involving our boarding community, day pupils, staff, and families.
• Hands-on learning experiences through geography and geology trips across the stunning landscapes of Cornwall.

As schools nationwide strive towards more eco-friendly practices, having dedicated teaching staff like Mrs. Luxton and Mrs. Udry, who head up our Eco Committees, is essential to driving these initiatives forward. In the feedback from Eco-Schools upon receiving our award, it was noted: “Our only concern is that we might not have expressed in words just how impressed and grateful we are to have educators who go so far above and beyond to engage young people in environmental action. Congratulations on your Eco-Schools Green Flag with Distinction!”

For pupils wishing to engage in further eco-friendly activities and school campaigns, the Senior School Eco-Committee meets every Friday morning to discuss and implement new green initiatives, aiming to make Truro School and our community even more eco-friendly. The group includes pupils and staff from our Senior School, all working together to make a positive environmental impact.

You can find more about Eco Schools in this insightful video