Inspirational Kent and Medway schools have received awards for their ‘green’ initiatives.

The Green School Awards, organised by the KM Charity Team, took place at the Ashford International Hotel on Friday, November 25 and celebrated local schools’ environmentally-friendly achievements.

Pupils were recognised for their hard work in categories such as recycling, sustainability, cleaner air and energy conservation.

KM Charity Team CEO Mike Ward said: “The Green School Awards are so important. They not only inspire children and schools to get involved but they also inspire and help whole communities.

“I think the greatest outcome of the Green School Awards is that it is an opportunity to showcase the variety of ways everyone can get involved – I’ve even started making plastic bricks!

“It’s also not about just celebrating the big stuff - anything and everything we do has an impact. I encourage all schools to tell us what they are doing – they may think it’s not that important but if we all do a little we can make a huge difference!"

Entries for the 2023 awards will be opening shortly and you will soon be able to submit your nominations for next year here.

Winning initiatives included increasing the use of bikes and cycle paths, fundraising for solar panels, creating an allotment to grow fruit and vegetables, turning an unused strip of land into an outdoor classroom, developing a pond and re-wilding area and promoting the reuse and recycling of school uniforms.

A number of top initiatives from Kent and Medway schools were chosen for the awards, with an overall winner (in italics) being selected in each category...

CLEANER AIR AND CLIMATE (sponsored by Medway Council)

WOW, Small Steps and Bikeability - The Gateway Primary Academy, Dartford

Walk to School - Thames View Primary School, Medway

Transforming Thanet Travel - Laleham Gap School, Ramsgate

ENERGY CONSERVATION (sponsored by NCS Technology)

Eco-Warriors - Swingate Primary School, Medway

New Eco Council - The Caldecott Foundation, Ashford

Solar panels for our Sports Hall - Sir Roger Manwood's School, Sandwich

ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY

School Eco Team - Oasis Academy Skinner Street, Medway

Forest School and Community Allotment - Oaklands School, Medway

Going Green - New Ash Green Primary School, Longfield

QE Green Group and EcoQuest - Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Faversham

Outdoor Wellbeing Allotment - Chantry Community Academy, Gravesend

GREEN CHAMPION (sponsored by Golding Homes)

Woodland Warriors - Smarden Primary School, Ashford

Litter Picking Project - Thames View Primary School, Medway

Our School Garden - Greenacre Academy, Medway

NATURE CONSERVATION (sponsored by KCS Landscape Services)

The Big Slug Challenge - Sandling Primary School, Maidstone

Forest School - Greenacre Academy, Medway

Developing a Woodland - West Minster Primary School, Sheerness

Nature Conservation - St Edward's Catholic Primary School, Sheerness

Nature Conservation: Belmont House Project - Newington CEP School, Sittingbourne

Nurture Forest School - Broadstairs College, Broadstairs

RECYCLING (sponsored by KCS Procurement)

Eco Bottle Brick - White Cliffs Primary, Dover

Crisp Packets into Blankets for the Homeless - Rivermead School, Medway

Recycling Champions - Thames View Primary School, Medway

Our Choices Matter - Miers Court Primary School, Medway

Sea Savers - St Michael's RC Primary School, Medway

Eco Club - Hamstreet Primary Academy, Ashford

SPECIAL AWARDS

School Crossing Patrol - Karen Jones of Maundene Primary School, Medway

School Crossing Patrol - Keri Humphrey of Godinton Primary School

For Services to Walking Buses - Brian Portanier of Minster Primary, Sheerness

These awards were sponsored by Golding Homes, NCS Technology, Medway Council, Kent County Council, KCS Procurement Services, KCS Landscape Services, Blessing by Ble and Ashford International Hotel.