BRADWORTHY Primary Academy is the ninth school in the UK to be awarded ‘Plastic Free Schools’ status.

Plastic Free Schools is a change making and empowering pupil led campaign run by the Cornish environmental charity Surfers Against Sewage.

Class 4 decided to do something after they watched a short film about how bad the plastic problem is in the oceans. The pupils were upset that animals were getting sick and hurt by rubbish.

In order to receive the award the school had to complete five objectives.

Firstly, Class 4 formed a ‘Resistance Group’ in school to spread the word about the damage single use plastic is having on the environment. There was a whole school assembly to spread the word.

Pupils said they were a bit nervous to stand up in front of everyone but in the end they actually enjoyed it.

Secondly, pupils organised a ‘Boycott Day’ in school. Everyone in school was asked to stop using single use water bottles — as they can last for 450 years in the environment — and start using refillable ones.

Pupils organised lots of games and raised some money for Surfers against Sewage too. They also completed a ‘Trash Mob’ in school and had a clean up in the playground.

Next, they wrote to their local MP Geoffrey Cox, prime minister Theresa May and leader of the Labour party Jeremy Corbyn to inform them how bad plastic really is. They also asked them to join the fight. The school were pleased to received a reply from Mr Cox and are now waiting for the others to reply.

As part of their fourth objective pupils wrote to manufacturers telling them about the plastic they found during their beach cleans at Westward Ho! and on the playground.

They found crisp packets, sweet wrappers, plastic lids, bottles and lots of little bits of plastic.

They asked the manufacturers of Haribo and Walkers to think about using different packaging and suggested ‘edible packaging’ would be a great idea.

Finally pupils will have to continue their hard work and find other ways to spread the message. The school’s librarian, Mary Weblin, has helped too — she bought some new books about how animals get hurt by rubbish.

They are called Duffy’s Lucky Escape and Marli’s Tangled Tale. These books were signed by the author Ellie Jackson.

A spokesperson for the school said: “We have really enjoyed being part of this campaign and it has made us realise that you should not underestimate the power of your voice.

“We have made great changes at our school, everyone has done something to reduce the amount of plastic we use.

“The children’s enthusiasm has been infectious! Our kitchen is making changes and so is our PTA when organising our school events.”

Class 4 have said they would like to spread the message far and wide. Their quote of the week is: “We have won the ‘Bottle Battle’ but the war on plastic is not over!

“Remember every action, however small, is a victory in the fight against plastic pollution!”

For more information about Surfers Against Sewage’s Plastic Free Schools visit the website www.sas.org.uk/plastic-free-schools