A DINAS primary school is flagging up its environmental credentials after claiming an internationally renowned eco-award.

St Andrew's Major Primary School in Dinas Powys claimed the Green Flag Award through the environmental education programme Eco-Schools, an international programme run in Wales by environmental charity, Keep Wales Tidy and funded by the Welsh government.

Rebecca Halse, St Andrew's eco co-ordinator, said: “The children – particularly our eco committee – have worked extremely hard to gain this award and have shown commitment and dedication in all projects they have participated in.

"The staff have also worked hard in helping to support a curriculum that enables pupils to experience outdoor learning on a daily basis. ”

As part of its Eco-Schools assessment, St Andrews carried out a number of actions to improve the school environment.

The school has developed its grounds to include vegetable and flower gardens, taken part in an Enterprise troopers competition and created a willow weaving project.

It is also investigating how to reduce waste and cut energy consumption.

Julie Giles, education officer for Keep Wales Tidy, said: “The school has done really well in achieving its first Eco-Schools Green Flag.

"I was really impressed with the knowledge of the eco committee and the fantastic outdoor learning work evident all around the school.

"Congratulations to St Andrew’s Major Church in Wales Primary School on its amazing achievement.

"It is a shining example of how young people in Wales are committed to achieving a sustainable future for their school but also for their wider community and local environment.”

More than 90 per cent of schools in Wales are registered on the green flag programme, which aims to inspire and empower pupils to be leaders of change in their community, helping them learn about sustainable living and global citizenship.

It also aims to give them the information and support they need to make changes that will benefit their school, local environment and wider community, such as reducing waste, energy consumption, transport, healthy living and litter issues.

Carl Sergeant, Assembly minister for natural resources, said: “Many congratulations to the pupils and teachers in all the schools for achieving this prestigious Green Flag award.

"I’m delighted that the Welsh Government has been able to fund Keep Wales Tidy to operate the Eco-Schools programme in Wales.

"By doing so, many thousands of children and young people across Wales are learning about their environment and the many benefits it brings us in terms of clean air to breathe, clean water to drink and healthy soils in which to grow flowers, trees and crops.

"Pupils taking part in the programme have gained skills and are better equipped to deal with the future challenges we face through climate change and make better decisions to ensure our natural resources continue to provide benefits for future generations.”