Case Study 8 - St. Christopher’s School, Wrexham. North Wales. 5-19 Generic Special School.

St. Christopher’s initially introduced ESD into the curriculum to develop in pupils a clear understanding of the world they lived in and to give them a sense of place. Making sustainability a cornerstone of student development has brought about profound changes in students, increasing their self confidence and sense of identity.

Sustainability is at the very core of the school and its curriculum. When the school re-located to larger premises everything that could be used for from the old school was used.

Teachers, support staff and pupils became involved in eco friendly policy development in the mid 1990’s when an environmental task force was set up. The school created a Millennium Eco Centre a few years later. This was done in partnership with Tarmac Group. Its aim was to educate students and the wider community about the importance of sustainability. Tarmac were heavily involved and provided a base, laying on services and security as part of their policy of reclaiming quarry sites. The Eco Centre is a hive of activity welcoming the local community and schools from across the region. The centre’s Board of Management liases with other agencies and conservation groups as well as working closely with planners from Wrexham Borough Council.

The school’s Eco Council is the focus of the school based environmental programme and draws up an annual action plan for the school. The school has permanent ECO SCHOOL status and flies its 4th Eco Flag with pride. The school has links with schools in Europe and for 4 years has taken students to Germany for environmental skills courses run as part of a European Union programme.

Quote. Ian Rowell ex pupil.

"I have learnt a great deal from the environmental work I did at school and feel a sense of achievement like never before. I have learnt that I can make a positive difference in my community, which will improve the environment we all live in."