Fairtrade School - Richard Taylor School first in Harrogate to gain Fairtrade School Status

Children from Richard Taylor School Fairtrade group

Richard Taylor School were awarded the Fairtrade School mark on September 28th. The school's Fairtrade group, which is made up of pupils from every class, have been working for over a year to promote Fairtrade products. They began by getting the staff drinking Fairtrade tea and coffee. The Harvest celebrations featured many food products that are available. The elderly members of the community were invited to share a cup of Fairtrade tea with the children at Harvest tea. Children bringing packed lunch were encouraged to include products in their lunch on Fairtrade lunchbox Fridays; over 200 items were brought on one day! During Fairtrade Fortnight members of the group toured the school playground with a giant inflatable cup of tea giving parents tea bags to encourage them to try fairtrade tea. Pupils throughout the school enjoyed games and lessons aimed at a deeper understanding of the inequalities that developing world producers experience and how Fairtrade can help to pay a fair price. The paper bag game and the chocolate game were great fun. Assemblies featured plays by the group and a speaker from Betty's. In order to spread the word the group visited St John's Playgroup to make Fairtrade chocolate crispies with the youngsters. Everyone in school knows what the Fairtrade logo looks like and what it means. The pupils in the group have been inventive in their ideas and full of enthusiasm. "I have really enjoyed coming up with the ideas to tell people about Fairtrade and now everyone is much more aware of what Fairtrade stands for." says Joshua one of the group. The group now wants to promote non-food products and is full of new ideas for this year.