Potters Bar school wins Fairtrade accreditation

PUPILS at a Potters Bar primary school have shown their ethical credentials – and picked up a distinguished award in the process.

Pope Paul School has become one of only six schools in Hertfordshire to achieve Fairtrade Accreditation – a culmination of a year’s work on promoting ethical trading standards for farmers, workers and communities.

The award is given to schools that have successfully met a series of targets, which include setting up a steering group, using and selling Fairtrade products where possible and taking action for Fairtrade in the community.

Pope Paul students formed a Fairtrade group and held events such as regular tuck shops in school, as well as a Fairtrade tombola.

They also held a monthly stall at Our Lady and St Vincent’s Church in Mutton Lane.

Deputy headteacher Liz Heymoz, who put together the school’s final Fairtrade presentation that achieved the award, said: “It’s been a lot of hard work, but the children have been so enthusiastic and showed great commitment to the aims of Fairtrade.

“There are over 500 schools in Hertfordshire alone and it’s fantastic to not only be one of the six in Hertfordshire to have achieved the accreditation, but also one of 465 in the whole of Britain.”

She added the Baker Street school planned to continue its work with Fairtrade and to develop further links with the community.