Congratulations to Tiffin Girls School - Kingston's first Fairtrade School!!
Tiffin Girls School became Kingstons first Fairtrade School in October 2005, paving the way for other schools in the borough. Assistant head teacher Karen Davies said "We live in one of the most affluent areas of the world and are lucky enough to have a lovely school. And if we can't do something to help, who can? This campaign has come completely from the students. It's been inspiring to see the students rise to the challenge and change attitudes.
The students worked towards Fairtrade status over the course of 2005 which included a visit from two Ghanian farmers to explain the positive effect Fairtrade has had on their community. The school also held a product tasting and had a rich man-poor man lunch to educate students"
The school's student head of social action, Amelia Viney, and her group, have also helped develop a workshop which has been run in the school, and which could be used to show others how to learn about Trade Justice and promote Fairtrade.
How to become a Fairtrade School
If you are ready for a challenge you can campaign for your school to gain official Fairtrade status. This ensures that Fairtrade remains an integral part of student life.
What does it mean to be a Fairtrade school?
Being a Fairtrade School basically means making a detailed commitment to increasing quantities of Fairtrade products being used.
Additionally, by building awareness among students and staff of the injustices of world trade, and the implications of their buying decisions, Fairtrade empowers people to challenge the way trade currently works. It also gives students and staff a socially-responsible choice to eat some seriously sumptuous food!
Fairtrade status is awarded by The Fairtrade Foundation. To gain this status the Foundation must be convinced that the school has achieved 5 goals.
The 5 Fairtrade goals
| Goal | Action |
|---|---|
| 1. Approve official Fairtrade policy | The school creates a Fairtrade policy incorporating these 5 goals to be passed at either a school council or governors meeting. |
| 2. Set up steering group | The Steering Group will meet at least once a term to manage and monitor progress towards the five goals. In order for Fairtrade status to be awarded the steering group must send a full report to the Fairtrade Foundation, explaining how each goal has been achieved. In order for the status to be retained they must send a short progress report at the end of every academic year. The group should include representatives from: catering staff; teaching staff; the student body; any associated institutions. |
| 3. Commit to selling Fairtrade in all outlets | Fairtrade foods are made available for sale in the school canteen, tuck shop and any other food outlets. Where this is not possible, there must be a commitment to begin to sell Fairtrade foods as soon as possible. |
| 4. Commit to using Fairtrade at internal meetings and events | Fairtrade foods (for example, coffee and tea) are served at meetings and events hosted by the school, and are served in staff rooms, common rooms and at parents' evenings. |
| 5. Commit to campaigning for increased consumption of Fairtrade | There is a commitment to campaign for increased Fairtrade consumption at school and with parents and governors through school newsletters or magazines. Staff are encouraged to discuss Fairtrade during lessons and to make links to local Fairtrade campaigns. |
Campaign Strategy
"Part of the excitement for me is seeing how a campaign like this one can be transferred across cultures. As far as Indonesia and Nigeria we have heard of students and activists campaigning for fair trade at their universities and schools."
Louisa Lyne, ex-Oxford Brookes People & Planet.
To be successful this campaign will take careful planning and may need to be run for several months, perhaps more than a year. The main thing to remember is that this campaign is about institutional change, meaning that the key people who run your school develop their own genuine commitment to supporting Fairtrade.
This means that you have to get these people enthusiastic about Fairtrade. Until this happens you won't have succeeded. Just pressuring your school to agree a Fairtrade policy on paper won't achieve anything unless there are enthusiastic staff around who want to put it into action.
To find out more about becoming a Fairtrade School in Kingston contact Naomi Pitts, Environmental Awareness officer, Kingston Council naomi.clarke@rbk.kingston.gov.uk, 0208 457 5761
Fairtrade resources for schools
Order leaflets and posters online:
http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/resources_order_form.htm
Download Fairtrade Catering Directory (PDF format, giving details of suppliers and vending machines)
http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/downloads/pdf/cateringdirectory.pdf
People and Planet have a Fairtrade campaign and can support secondary schools with an Action Guide and advice
http://peopleandplanet.org/tradejustice/fairtrade
The Co-op has an excellent fair trade site, including a downloadable Action Pack for Schools. There are materials suitable for all ages.
http://www.co-opfairtrade.co.uk
The Young Co-operatives is an initiative to help secondary school students and other young people to establish and run their own co-operative businesses selling Fairtrade products
http://www.youngcooperatives.org.uk
Leeds DEC have produced a 'Fairtrade Schools Handbook'
http://www.leedsfairtradecity.org
Oxfam's Cool Planet site for teachers has a cataogue of materials etc
http://www.oxfam.org.uk/coolplanet
For further information visit the official Fairtrade website
http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/get_involved_school.htm