Caring pupils established an Eco-Committee so that they can join together to help encourage other pupils, and even some of the teachers, to think about the waste they were producing, energy they were consuming and the importance of biodiversity.

One of the Eco-Committee members said: “At the start of the year, lights were being left on and classrooms lacked recycling bins. We wanted to change habit across the school, and thought we could achieve more by setting up our Eco-Committee.”

The Eco-Committees work has also influenced lessons. Classes have wildflower seed bombs and bird boxes, transformed plastic bottles into vegetable planters and some pupils even took part in Dragons’ Den-style event where they presented inventions they had made from recycled materials.

Zoe Marshall, a teacher at The Hendreds who has led the Eco-Schools work, said: “I’m really proud of what the children have achieved. They have really understood that the small changes they make now that can make a big difference in the future - not just to the school but to the way they think about their own impact.

“The children are taking what they have learnt home too. They tell us about helping their families recycle and save energy -  and they definitely keep all the teachers on our toes in school. We have even had pupils telling teachers off for leaving the interactive whiteboard on!

“The Eco Committee has taken the lead, but it really has become a whole-school responsibility because of their passion and enthusiasm.”

The Eco-Schools Green Flag Award is an internationally recognised accreditation that honours schools and nurseries for excellence in environmental action and student-led sustainability.

Mrs Lisa Rees, Headteacher at The Hendreds CE School, said: “We are incredibly proud of the children and the passion that they have shown throughout this work. It has been wonderful to see them take real ownership of sustainability and understand that their actions can make a genuine difference.

“They really deserve the Green Flag accolade – not just for their enthusiasm in school, but their impact in the wider community.

“These children are preparing to hand the green baton over to a new Eco-Committee, and it is lovely that so many children want to follow in their footsteps and also be part of the Eco-Committee. It is quite a legacy!”