What is a Fairtrade School?
A school that is committed to Fairtrade, sells and uses Fairtrade products as far as it can, and raises awareness of Fairtrade in the school and local community.
We've come up with 5 ways you can do this. When your school is doing all 5 things then let us know and we can award you a Fairtrade School certificate. This is a great way of promoting the ethical and social awareness of your school and can be linked to PHSE on the curriculum. These are the 5 criteria for becoming a Fairtrade school.
GOAL 1 Our school has set up a Fairtrade School Steering Group The steering group is a group of people - teachers, pupils, other adults in the school community - who get together to lead the school in becoming a Fairtrade School. This could be your School Council or other existing body, which holds a meeting specifically about becoming a Fairtrade school.
GOAL 2 Our school has written and adopted a whole school Fairtrade Policy The Fairtrade Policy puts in writing your decision to become a Fairtrade School, what that means for your school, and says that the whole school supports it. We have a proforma Fairtrade Policy which you could adopt.
GOAL 3 Our school is committed to selling, promoting and using Fairtrade products This is about making Fairtrade products (things such as drinks, snacks, footballs, fashion) available in your school and beyond, perhaps serving it at Parents Evenings and school fairs, and using it in the staffroom. )
GOAL 4 Our whole school learns about Fairtrade issues A Fairtrade School uses every opportunity to learn about the people who make the products, and how Fairtrade makes their lives more secure. Lessons in at least 2 year groups and 3 wider school activities.
GOAL 5 Our school is committed to promoting and taking action for Fairtrade in school and the wider community 3 whole school activities and one that takes Fairtrade into the wider Community eg as part of a school fair or Fun day.
What do I do now ? Contact Jenny Foster, Bristol Fairtrade Network Co-ordinator, who can meet with you and discuss how to work towards becoming a Fairtrade school and access resources.
Call me on 922-4916, or Email jenny@bristolfairtradenetwork.org.uk
