Leading sustainable children’s clothing company, Frugi, has committed to funding a new online Teacher Training Programme as part of its ongoing initiative with Eco-Schools. Each year, Frugi donates 1% of turnover to charity as part of its Little Clothes BIG Change programme. Over the past 17 years, it has donated £850,000, helping both children and environmental non-profit organisations.
Frugi’s overall ambition is to inspire a new generation of eco-heroes to change the world.
For this reason, the Eco-Schools programme – the largest educational programme in the world – is an ideal partner. As an extension of its ongoing support, Frugi has donated funding for 300 teachers throughout England – from nurseries to colleges – to attend three immersive sessions of an hour each. During the sessions, teachers will learn about the Eco-School programme; how it can benefit their school, pupils and the wider community. Training will be offered to the entire Eco-Schools network, with 300 free spaces available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Schools are incredibly busy places with numerous priorities and commitments. For teaching staff, it can feel like there are not enough hours in the day to achieve all their goals. “People who choose to work in education are conscientious and they care deeply about their pupils, their school community and our planet, and they are always striving to have a positive impact on all three,” says Eco-Schools manager Lee Wray-Davies. “But they can often struggle to find a comprehensive programme that introduces their students to environmentalism with relevant, impactful and engaging content.”
As a former teacher, Wray-Davies has developed the Eco-Schools training course to help teachers formalise the teaching and accompany them on their journey to an Eco-Schools Green Flag. Over the next academic year, with Frugi’s funding, Eco-Schools will assist 300 Eco-Coordinators in introducing pupil-led environmental action in their schools; sharing ideas, support and providing reassurance, as well as celebrating their success.
Frugi has already funded the costs for 150 UK schools to gain their prestigious Eco-Schools Green Flag certification.
To gain Eco-Schools Green Flag certification, schools must complete a seven step programme. The programme maps out a meaningful path towards improving the environment in both the school and the local community whilst also having a life-long positive impact on the lives of young people and their families. When a child gets actively involved with Eco-Schools, they enhance their development and are encouraged to use their imagination and voice in a safe, non-judgemental environment. They become minute makers, organisers, planners, and influencers. Eco-Schools has the power to transform pupils into forward-thinking, challenge solving, decision making adults of the future.
As well as the benefits to pupils, individual schools’ benefit from reducing their environmental impact. Eco-Schools consume less water and energy and produce less waste; therefore saving money that can be allocated elsewhere in the school. Ideal for Early Years Foundation (3-5), Primary Schools (5-11) through to Secondary and Further Education (12-18), Frugi is proudly the first company to sponsor schools for all age groups.
Frugi CEO, Sarah Clark, says; “Eco-Schools and our new Teacher Training Programme will not only benefit so many more children’s lives, but it helps raise environmental change-makers of the future.”
Online Teacher Training Programme Module
- Session One
Steps 1-3 – Eco-Schools topic overview
Dates: 27, 28, 29 September or 5, 6, 7 October 2021 - Session Two
Steps 3-4 – School curriculum and engagement from the wider school community
Dates: 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 27 January 2022 - Session Three
Steps 6-7 – How to apply for the Green Flag
Dates: 3, 4, 5, 9, 10 or 11 May 2022
*All online sessions will be from 4.14-5.15pm
To sign up for the teacher training and also access all other relevant information on Eco-Schools, please click here. Further information on Frugi is available here.
