Who has been?

Bookings and visits initially came from referrals made by partners, such as district recycling officers and community organisations, we also had enquiries from groups who had visited in the past. Our direct marketing programme is now well under away and formal education establishments and community groups in Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham and Rochdale have directly received information  on our Education Service. Following this there has been a noticeable increase in interest and bookings, which coupled with enquiries received via our website has meant that our diaries are filling up for early 2010. The direct marketing will continue in the new year covering all the remaining districts.

What they think

To evaluate the effectiveness of the visits the teachers  and group leaders have been asked to complete an evaluation form; 100% of them have rated the visit as excellent or good, and 98% of the teachers felt competent or reasonably competent to go on and deliver further waste education sessions. The pupils were also asked to rate their enjoyment and learning level of a visit, resulting in  96% saying that they had enjoyed the visit and learned more about waste.  

Taking the message home

Changing behaviour at home is a key link to our sucess in maximising recycling and reducing the amount of waste produced. We are piloting a ‘learning evidence’ mechanism, utilising a take home leaflet following visits to demonstrate the effect an education visit has on home life and changing behaviour. A leaflet has been designed that children will complete at home following the visit. Some of the initial feedback responses include:

“I will sort all my rubbish out and put them in the right bins”
“I will re-use bottles again and again”
“My Nana and Grandad will cut down on the use of paper and plan food better”
“Try to recycle clothes more and take them to a charity shop”

Schools are encouraged to participate in the learning evidence scheme as it helps them obtain community evidence for the eco-schools and sustainable schools programmes.

Education Centre Development

The existing education centres at Hurstwood court and Pilsworth have been refurbished with new exhibition content. The content has been designed to interpret what happens to our waste and recycling describing the technologies used and to be used, and to encourage more participation in waste awareness and recycling and general sustainability. More interactive elements have been incorporated at Hurstwood court as the flagship waste education centre.

Work is progressing well with the construction of the Longley Lane and Bredbury sites which will include new education centres. Construction will commence on the Longley Lane centre in January 2010.    
 

What they've said

Comments received from teachers:-
"All the input received today has addressed most of the learning objectives and outcomes for the Y4 geography topic we are covering" (Primary School Teacher).

"Well suited to AQA A2 specification, option world cities – waste management." (Secondary School Teacher)

"Excellent introduction to the Recycling assignment for Applied Sciences" ( 6th Form College Tutor)

"This is a difficult group who kept focussed for the whole trip" ( Special School Teacher)

"The activities were suitable for the students' abilities and the interactive nature was right for the group" (Group Leader for self excluded pupils)

"Brilliant Educational Officer who was extremely passionate and knowledgeable in her field" (Primary School Teacher)

"Children loved the bag making! SUPER!" (Primary School Teacher)

"A lovely mixture of activities thank you" (Primary School Teacher)