Fairtrade Schools & the Borough Campaigns London Campaign Workshop 1 st November 2010

Motive/incentive to become involved with Fairtrade For schools? For the boroughs?

Inspiration Discover a passion for fairtrade BBC Newsnight cocoa, chocolate & child slave labour (July 2007, 12 minutes) ( oryid= &bbcws=2) oryid= &bbcws=2 A Fair Brew? (Nov 2009, 4 mins) Pineapples: Luxury fruit at what price? (October 2010, 20 mins) ( BBC Panorama’s The Bitter Truth (May 2010, 30 mins)

The School Goals 1. Our school has set up a Fairtrade School Steering Group 2. Our school has written and adopted a whole school Fairtrade Policy 3. Our school is committed to selling, promoting and using Fairtrade products 4. Our school learns about Fairtrade issues 5. Our school promotes and takes action for Fairtrade

Tying into educational initiatives Eco-Schools: Global Perspectives – …’engage in the global dimension to topical issues that affect them such as…the prices of goods in shops.’ – ‘critically assess the information that they receive via the media and to understand their consumer rights and responsibilities and thereby make informaed decisions as consumers…’ Citizenship – ‘fair decision-making’; ‘consider the environmental, social and economic impacts of the decisions that they make…’. Every Child Matters Sustainable schools Healthy Schools

Complements School Curriculum Objective: children understand fairtrade & impact of purchases on others around the world; inspire- they can make a difference! Curriculum subjects: Citizenship Geography, Environmental Studies Maths, English, ICT PSHE (Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education) RE Drama, Music, Art (Through the lens of social and economic social and economic sustainable development)

Incentives for schools School gets local & national recognition Opportunities to enhance the curriculum Encourages critical thinking & taking responsibility for their decisions Positive impact on learner engagement Positive influence on the school & general community Offers opportunities for challenge and confidence building Is fun!

School Fairtrade Champion! Passion, drive, enthusiasm, persuasive skills Coordinate & Liaise – KEY: the kids need to want to do it! Inspire through teaching & learning. They are part of the Steering Group!

Examples of good practice East Sheen Primary Schools (Richmond) Maths & English Demedecka Award: Best FT14 Activity (

Learning Materials We recommend... Some places to find resources, lessons, assemblies, inspiring activities, games and more about Fairtrade Action Guide: httpAction Guide: _schools_actionguide_amended.pdf

Other recommendations

Blogs, films, competitions, protests, club nights – fighting social justice and global poverty creatively! Age For stories, classroom and assembly sessions and information on arranging a visit from a volunteer teacher and Global Explorers our interactive wipeboard resource For updates on emergencies, information about our work, videos and campaign actions ofasessions ofasessions The Sofa Sessions provide the space for young people to debate the big issues like corruption and climate change in a relaxed environment. Age range:

Schools & Borough Campaign Opportunities for Collaboration Goal 5a – get involved in one of their termly events, for example FT14! (Schools are encouraged to organise a community event) ; Goal 4 & 5a – be a guest speaker at an assembly & inspire children & staff & help them along their FT journey! (tap into the resources!) Goal 5c – Advertise events/achievements, links with the press? Goal 1 – be part of the school’s Steering Group! Goal 2 – Support them in drafting their policy! Goal 3a – promote Fairtrade and FT products by manning a stall at a school event or doing a tasting*.

Case Study: Borough & School collaborate (Bristol) The students had a fantastic experience modelling at the Fairtrade Fashion Show. Many of them had their photos taken with Steve Redgrave who spoke at the show. All the students did presentations in their schools after the event, spreading the word about Fairtrade even further. They also invited their friends and families to the event who were people who would not normally have considered coming to a Fairtrade event, helping the steering group to reach a new audience. Having the links with schools helped in securing sponsorship for the event, especially from Marks and Spencer Orchard School and St Bonaventures have used the experience as part of their applications to become Fairtrade schools. All 3 schools took part in other Fairtrade city events so the positive links have continued.

The benefits of collaboration Reach more people by working together, spreading the word in the community Pool resources & share experiences Collaboration often leads to imagination Strengthen both campaigns Tapping into positive pestering powers Photo opportunities for the press

Tips Approach schools/LEAs with exciting ‘offers’ Develop relationship with borough Local Education Authorities subject specialists (PSHE, Humanities, Geography) Focus your energy on one school at a time & be flexible around schools’ timetables Focus your energy on one goal at a time & offer clear/focused support Contact people directly in schools/liaise with one FT contact (‘champion’) keen to promote FT values Use the London Campaign to find the right person to request support!*

Some more tips! Get in touch with local authority, they all do a regular ‘school news’ bulletin so you can offer talks on there Get in touch with your local DEC (development education centre) as they are salaried and often don’t have capacity to go out to schools for free, but you can offer your time through them If sending a letter to head teachers at primary schools, send in January to tie in timing with Fairtrade Fortnight planning so it any already be in their minds In secondary schools, speak to the school secretary to find out who the right person might be to approach If you know the school as a Fairtrade steering group, try addressing a letter to that group (that was my one but lots thought it could work) Talk to young people in the community (through your church or mosque for instance, or through any other work you do with young people) and get them to ask their teachers to arrange a talk Advertise your services in a local one world shop Contact schools with an offer to run a tuck shop event or pass on products on a sale or return basis (although make sure goods are returned well within sell by dates, this was an issue for some campaigners) Keep contact after talks – work with the school to get publicity for their work

Benefits of Fairtrade Schools for the London Campaign London could be 500 th FT School!! Share good practice, inspire other schools You are a very important part of the big picture & an in-road to the local community Give the FT London Campaign more to show- off about! Contribute to London largest FT city in world – be part of it)!

Planning for collaboration Either Plan how you will approach a local primary school to action their Fairtrade Schools campaign – what support can you offer? Or Plan a collaborative event with a local school NB: make reference to at least one School Goal

What do you envisage will be your support needs in developing your links with the schools?

Further Questions & Contact for the London Campaign