Best Kept School Competition

 
Royal Borough secondary school pupils will be vying for top spot in an innovative new competition this summer when councillors decide which school has the best kept premises. The scheme was approved at cabinet on Thursday, March 26.

In the run-up to the judging in June and July, pupils will be encouraged to initiate activities to spruce up their school grounds.

During the judging, site visits – made at short notice – will focus on the cleanliness and attractiveness, and absence of litter, graffiti and vandalism, of the grounds, reception areas, classrooms, toilets and corridors, including wall displays and notices.

Cllr Eileen Quick, lead member for children’s services, said: “We have launched this exciting initiative as part of our commitment to providing the best possible learning environment for our young people.”

Judging will be on a four-point scale – inadequate, satisfactory, good or outstanding.

As well as seeing conditions for themselves, judges will also chat to pupils, selected at random, to get their feedback on the level of care in their schools.

Cllr Quick added: “It is well known that children and young people learn best when their surroundings are clean and well maintained.

“Litter, graffiti and vandalism may unfortunately be part of the world we live in but here in the Royal Borough we are committed to reducing them to a minimum. This initiative takes our policy of zero tolerance on littering into our schools in a way that will be constructive and fun for pupils and contribute to a positive environment for learning.”

If successful, the competition will be extended to primary schools next year.