A PRIMARY school has been named one of North Yorkshire's most eco-friendly.

Bolton-on-Swale St Mary’s Church of England Primary School has been awarded a third Green Flag as part of the Eco-Schools international award programme, which encourages schools to embed eco-friendly principles into school life.

The programme focuses on nine areas of conservation, including energy, water, transport, healthy living, litter and global citizenship.

Since committing to the Eco Schools programme, the school was awarded its first Green Flag in July 2008, their second in October 2010 – at the time being the second school in North Yorkshire to have achieved two green flags – and in February this year, the Green Flag Assessor visited the school again and awarded a third.

The third Green Flag was awarded in recognition of the school’s outstanding work on waste, which involved the whole school recycling batteries, paper, ink cartridges and mobile phones.

In its energy work, energy monitors awarded ‘angels’ for the most energy efficient class and their global citizenship work has built on links with a school in Kenya to focus on water use in daily life.

The report stated that the school was particularly commended for “very enthusiastic and hard working staff and pupils.”

Head teacher Nicola Dobson said: “Our Eco School success reflects the hard work of our children, staff and parents.

“The whole school is committed to this and a hard working and dedicated Eco Team of children have shared the message and lead on the initiatives. “Well done to everyone in the team.”

She added: “Our next eco project is to develop our gardening area and we are delighted to have sponsorship from the Green Frog Garden Shop at Ellerton who are supplying seeds and horticultural expertise to the school.”