A MUM from Oakridge has started a campaign to make environmental education part of the school curriculum.

Gill Skeffington, whose children Jensen and Wren both attend Oakridge Parochial School, wants to see environmental education added as a core subject to the National Curriculum for all key stages.

“There is no subject more important to educate our children about than the planet on which they exist,” she said.

A successful allotment project is already up and running at the school and Gill believes gardening should be taught in schools too.

“Education is the key to change,” she said.

“Imagine a world where generations of children are being educated about how to live sustainably, the importance of living resourcefully, the beauty in nature and the concept of conservation?

“Imagine the difference that could make to our planet?”

Gill met with MP David Drew to ask for advice on how to take her campaign forward.

“We had a very positive conversation about how we can help the environment achieve more recognition within the national curriculum,” she said.

“As it stands, the national curriculum currently comprises of 12 subjects, classified as core.

“And within that there is no reference about the environment, bar one paragraph, within the year 4 programme of study.

“In this day and age, with increased concern over climate change and other environmental issues, it’s simply not good enough.

“Pupils should explore examples of human impact, both positive and negative, on environments, such as the positive effects of nature reserves, ecologically planned parks, or garden ponds, and the negative effects of population and development, litter or deforestation.”

Following her discussion with the MP, she is now planning to gather evidence to demonstrate how the school’s allotment project links in with and supports the science curriculum.

She also intends to create an environmental education plan which can be rolled out to other schools in the area.