A GREEN Flag has been raised at Kingsmead Primary school in celebration of a top award.

The school was awarded the flag, which is the highest ranked Eco-Schools award, earlier this year.

Bronze and Silver awards can be applied for online, but the Green Flag requires a site visit and symbolises excellence in the field of environmental activity.

Lesley Cocker, who works at the school and is also a member of the Eco-Group, said: "It has absolutely made a difference.

"Our school is a way of life for the children, that's all they know so it's a normal thought pattern.

"Everyone's been really positive, and the children's attitudes are even starting to rub off on their parents."

Children in the group have introduced a recycling station, a barn owl box, and have planted oak trees in Kingsmead Copse to symbolise every child attending the school.

Electronic communication is also used to send letters to parents instead of paper.

The school building collects rainwater to flush the toilets and clear pipes so the students can see the water dripping down.

It also has solar panels for electricity and hot water, a wooden structure, a biomass boiler and a sustainable urban drainage system.

Headteacher Catriona Stewart, said: "The school building has been a fantastic resource to involve pupils in learning, as they are able to develop their mathematical and thinking skills in meaningful real-life' contexts."

Pauline Manclark, from Groundwork Cheshire, said: "This Green Flag award shows that the school is successfully using the building to teach pupils about their environmental impact.

"If this changes their environmental attitudes as they mature into teenagers and then adults, this will have a long-lasting impact on the future of their planet."

The Green Flag was raised last Wednesday during a ceremony when the infants' willow garden was also opened, with a brass band and members of Cheshire County Council also present.