Fiona Hamilton

Ever since watching a Blue Peter report on aerosols and the ozone layer as a child, Fiona Hamilton has been concerned about the environment. Now a primary school teacher at Inveraray Primary School, she encourages pupils to learn about and get involved in environmental issues. She has, for example, arranged for her class to work with local producers during their Farming topic to organise and run a Farmers’ Market which, in turn, prompted Argyll and Bute Council to join the Soil Association Food for Life scheme for school meals. She has taken continuing professional development courses with the World Wildlife Foundation (WWF) and in Forest Schools leadership training.

Inveraray Primary School joined the Eco Schools organisation in 2002. Prior to this pupils, teachers and parents worked together, with the help of Scottish Natural Heritage and Grounds for Learning, to transform the playground into a fun learning environment. The children were closely involved in the design and implementation. As a result, the school grounds have been developed into a wildlife haven with vegetable plots, the children helping with tree-planting and building willow dens, while the school has its own recycling scheme and Eco Committee. The philosophy of Education for Sustainability is given prominence throughout the curriculum and the whole school is involved in improving the school’s contribution to sustainability.