This term our School Council has launched a new recycling scheme — putting clearly-labelled paper, card and plastic bins in every classroom, the staff room and the school office.

The idea came from a Year 5 Council member who noticed how much paper was being thrown away during the day. After a few weeks of planning, the Council pitched the scheme to staff, designed the labels themselves, and presented the idea to the whole school in assembly.

"It is one of the best examples of pupil voice I have seen," said our Headteacher. "The children identified a problem, came up with a solution, and now they are leading it. That is exactly the kind of citizen we want Birchwood children to grow into."

The Council will report back next term on how much waste the scheme has diverted from landfill.