Clavering Primary School

FAIRTRADE

Did you know that Clavering was the first school in Hartlepool to achieve 'FAIRACHIEVER' status?

Dear parents, carers, children and other interested parties,

At Clavering Primary School, we believe that learning about Fairtrade issues is an extremely powerful way for children to find out about issues beyond the classroom and make a positive contribution to the world in which they live. It is an opportunity to learn about how individual consumer choices can make a real difference to people's lives; plus, it is a fantastic way to help our children to develop their empathy.

Clavering Primary School is committed to learning about, promoting and taking action for Fairtrade wherever possible. We believe that Fairtrade can make a difference to people throughout the world by improving living and working conditions for the people who grow the products we buy, and their families and wider communities. Our Fairtrade Programme develops positive global citizenship, and we continue to be proud of how our children - year-on-year - are passionate about making a difference through Fairtrade.

This webpage celebrates our ongoing commitment to Fairtrade and our achievements as a 'FairAchiever' school (the highest level of the Fairtrade Schools Award Scheme)!

Best wishes,

Mrs S. Weightman and Mr N. McAvoy

Fairtrade Champions

Did you know that our Fairtrade work (as part of our wider commitment to conservation, sustainability, adventurous activities and outdoor learning) has won the prestigious 'Best of Hartlepool' Award? What an achievement!

CLAVERING FAIRTRADE STEERING GROUP

Every year, we establish a Fairtrade Steering Group to champion Fairtrade across the school. We have now evolved to a stage where we feel that our pupils are capable of leading the group themselves with the support of our Eco-Schools Leader, Mrs Weightman, and the Hartlepool Fairtrade Steering Group, which we have excellent links with. The children take as much responsibility as possible for planning, making decisions, organising events and writing letters.

'FAIRACHIEVER' AND 'FAIRTRADE SCHOOL' STATUS

We have held 'FairAchiever' status since 2014, having received 'Fairtrade Schools' status in 2012!

'Congratulations Clavering Primary School - all of your Fairtrade work continues to be absolutely exemplary and you are everything that a 'FairAchiever' school should be and more! Of particular note is how you have looked to continue to develop your learning through your Fairtrade framework and that you work so closely with the Hartlepool Fairtrade Steering Group to amplify your awareness raising in the local community. Great to see that you are looking to continue to do this and are taking a holistic approach to your Fairtrade plans.' (Fairtrade Schools, 2020)

In 2014, the Fairtrade Foundation relaunched the Fairtrade Schools Programme. The programme now has three levels: ‘FairAware’, ‘FairActive’ and, the top level, ‘FairAchiever’. We are delighted to say that we were contacted by the Fairtrade Foundation to say that they automatically awarded Clavering with ‘FairAchiever’ status because of the outstanding quality of the school’s work and commitment to Fairtrade. Since then, we have renewed our 'FairAchiever' status in 2017 and 2020.

CONGRATULATIONS to everyone in the Clavering Family who has learnt about, promoted and taken action for Fairtrade!

FAIRTRADE FORTNIGHTS AND FAIRTRADE SUPER LEARNING DAY

Since 2011, every year, we promote and take action for Fairtrade during Fairtrade Fortnight in partnership with the Fairtrade Foundation and the Hartlepool Fairtrade Steering Group. This includes learning about Fairtrade in the Spring Term and whole-school challenges during Fairtrade Fortnight led by our Fairtrade Steering Group.

During Fairtrade Fortnight, we have our Fairtrade Super Learning Day where each year group from Nursery to Year 6 learn about Fairtrade: researching and answering our progressively-challenging enquiry questions and presenting their findings to the rest of the school in a special Fairtrade assembly.

'Thanks for sharing the Fairtrade Framework that you have introduced to guide your Fairtrade learning at Clavering - we love the detail and thought that has gone into this. It's a fantastic plan and to have it laid out like this highlights the development that pupils will go through in their knowledge of Fairtrade as they progress through the school. Alongside this, it's great to see examples of the specific lesson plans that you use and that these have been made specific to your school context whilst bringing Fairtrade into broader issues such as rights and the environment. Fairtrade is clearly well embedded in the teaching and learning at Clavering and a big part of the school ethos, thanks for all you continue to do to share these topics with your pupils and help them to understand global issues and the impact they can have on the world.' (Fairtrade Schools, 2020)

FAIRTRADE IN THE NEWS

Our ongoing commitment to learn about, promote and take action for Fairtrade has attracted a lot of publicity over the last few years: our activities have been featured on various Fairtrade-related social media accounts (including the Fairtrade Foundation and Fairtrade Schools), our work has been used as an example of best practice by the Hartlepool Fairtrade Steering Group, and we have had numerous articles published in the Hartlepool Mail. All of this helps to further promote Fairtrade to the wider Clavering Family and general public.