Top walk to school schemes will be among the projects honoured at the Green School Awards 2018 which are open for entry until this Sunday, December 10.

Organised by the KM Charity Team, the Green School Awards give eco-friendly primary and secondary schools the chance to shine – and set an example to other schools across the county.

Competition categories include the best use of walking buses and walk to school programmes. Even a much-loved school crossing patrol officer could gain recognition as a big thank you for keeping children safe, whatever the weather!

Anyone from the school can submit a nomination ­- teaching and non-­teaching staff, volunteers, and parents -­ but the deadline to complete the simple online form is Sunday, December 10.

Winning schools will receive trophies and certificates to display as well as a special Green School Awards winner logo to trumpet their green credentials. Details of winning schools’ projects and schemes will be printed in a best practice brochure, and distributed to every school in the county to encourage others to follow their lead.

Simon Dolby, chief executive of the KM Charity Team, said: “We know that schools are doing fantastic work every day and we want to give them the recognition they deserve. There are the green schemes with immediate benefits such as walking buses - to keep children safe and encourage a healthy, active lifestyle -­ and longer term efforts such as recycling initiatives, whole-­school awareness days, and homework projects. All of which teach pupils about their impact on the environment and empower them to make a difference. This is a fantastic message that should be shared as widely as possible, and that’s what we aim to do.”

Run in partnership with Golding Homes and supported by LoopCR, the Green School Awards reward efforts in walking to school, recycling and sustainability, nature conservation, and energy conservation.

Winning schools will be presented with their accolades in February at a ceremony staged at Kent Cricket Club in Canterbury.

For more information, or to enter before the December 10 deadline, visit www.greenschoolawards.co.uk