Case studies

15 December 2023

Lord Mayor of Portsmouth Visits Pupils at Beacon View Academy

Lord Mayor of Portsmouth, Tom Coles, and local councillors Brian and George Madgwick and Chris Dike visit school to see new polytunnel

Building of polytunnel follows school’s recent receipt of an Eco-Schools Green Flag 

On Thursday 14th December, pupils at Beacon View Primary Academy were excited to meet with some special guests who heard about the eco-activities pupils have been taking part in.

The Lord Mayor of Portsmouth, Tom Coles, as well as local councillors Brian Madgwick, George Madgwick and Chris Dike visited the academy to talk to pupils about their environmental initiatives. In particular, they opened the school’s brand new polytunnel for which the local councillors helped Beacon View to secure funding.

The polytunnel has been purchased using CIL Neighbourhood Funding and will add to the school’s Edible Kitchen Garden areas, which is being match-funded by Hampshire Garden Trust. This space will enable the project to continue in all weather conditions and will ensure the local community gardens are well stocked in the summer.

Encouraging pupils to make use of the polytunnel forms part of the school’s wider eco-ambitions for which they recently received an Eco-Schools Green Flag. Established in 1994, the Green Flag is given to schools which have successfully delivered an eco-project by following the Eco-Schools’ programme. At Beacon View, pupils worked hard to achieve the award by first forming a pupil-led eco-committee before conducting an environmental review to identify areas for improvement. Their findings formed the basis of an action plan which they implemented during the course of the year.

A Year 4 pupil at the school said:

I love planting flowers because we learn to take care of them and we are helping nature.

Another pupil added:

“We are growing food which helps people, and the plants create oxygen that helps the planet.”

Sally Hodgson, Principal at Beacon View Primary Academy, said:

“All of us at Beacon View Primary Academy were thrilled to welcome the Lord Mayor of Portsmouth as well as Brian, George and Chris to the school to show them our magnificent polytunnel and the excellent work pupils have done to make our school more eco-friendly. Pupils enjoyed talking to our guests and spoke confidently and enthusiastically about their Eco-Schools Green Flag.”

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