Oasis Academy Immingham have been awarded the Eco-Schools’ Green Flag Award with distinction! The academy has been praised for adopting an inclusive approach taken to form the Eco-committee, and for giving everyone a voice to make them feel valued, meeting the needs of every student’s learning style.

Eco-schools were also impressed that the academy has built a polytunnel, despite challenges with the unpredictable weather, on their grounds to create a controlled environment for growing plants and vegetables, enabling year-round cultivation and various educational opportunities related to agriculture, biology and sustainability. It allows a space for students to learn about gardening, sustainability and the environment in a hands-on practical way.

Vegetables, currently growing in at academy are pumpkins, onions, spring onions, tomatoes and leeks. These are in the early stages, but the students have grown them from seeds and are very proud of them. The academy is hoping to use them in the school kitchens or give them to students to take home or use in SEMH led cooking sessions.

Not only this, but the academy is also working with the local community in more ways than one. Oasis Academy Immingham have been working in partnership with ‘Immingham in Bloom,’ to grow plants which are bee and butterfly friendly and placed at the front of the academy, as well as on the town’s main road.

The academy also has a plant ‘swap shop,’ which is open to the public twice a week. The students and staff of the academy place a plant trolley outside the academy reception, where members of the public are encouraged to rehome or swap various plants and vegetable plant for free. This gains recognition from the local community as the academy advertise their plant swap shop on social media.

To top it off, the academy was also proud to share that they received recognition from Sir David Attenborough, for being a ‘School for Nature,’ and achieved a Silver Award from the Woodland Trust’s Green Tree Schools Award, proving that they continuously work around the care for nature and wildlife.

Susan Bailey said: “As Eco Club Lead, I have loved being able to work with students to raise awareness about environmental issues, promote sustainability and engage in eco-friendly activities.

I feel that the Oasis Eco club provides students with a platform to learn about conservation, recycling and taking care of the environment through fun and educational projects. I feel very proud to work in a school with an active eco club and feel that the eco club gives students and staff the opportunity to make a positive impact on their school, environment and community.”

Principal Sara McLoughlin said: “Susan has done an incredible job. Congratulations to the academy eco-club on yet another fantastic award. We hope for our students to continue with the good work going forward.”