Dollar Academy is the first independent school in the UK to be awarded the Food for Life Green Kitchen Standard Award from the Soil Association.
The achievement conferred by the Food for Life programme, a Soil Association initiative, is in recognition of extensive sustainability practices in school catering, namely the consumption of energy and water, and the production of waste.
It assesses schools against the requirements of the Defra Plan for Public Procurement and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
Dollar Academy has introduced several sustainability initiatives, including hosting a summit on sustainability and education, conducting a carbon survey of the entire school and creating a pupil-led steering group looking at lifestyle and behavioural habits.
We will continue to build on the progress already made, in line with the growing urgency of the global sustainability movement and our responsibility – Justin Wilkes, Dollar Academy
Justin Wilkes, bursar at Dollar Academy, said: “At Dollar, we are committed to enhancing the environment via a range of initiatives including reviewing transport options, enhanced recycling facilities and student initiatives such as Bee Club, which has seen the introduction of an apiary to the school grounds.
“We will continue to build on the progress already made, in line with the growing urgency of the global sustainability movement and our responsibility, as educators, to equip young people with the knowledge and skills required to tackle the climate crisis.
“We would like to thank Fergus Small at Scrutiny Outsourcing for his invaluable help and guidance in securing this award.”
Sophia Koniarska, associate director of Food for Life said: “We are delighted that Dollar Academy has been awarded the Food for Life Green Kitchen Standard (GKS) award.
“Not only does this demonstrate their commitment to their whole school community but reflects best practice requirements in carbon, energy, water and waste, recognising the role they play in responding to the climate emergency we all face.”
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