A NEWPORT school has been awarded the highest accolade for eco schools, with a platinum eco award.

St Joseph’s RC Primary school in Newport have worked through three green flags over the past few years, but this week was awarded the platinum.

Sarah Neale, the Eco-Schools Co-ordinator at the school, said: “The eco-committee have been working really hard.”

The school’s eco activities are run by pupils from all ages that make up the eco-committee, as well as an eco club.

They ensure the school covers a number of topic areas, including healthy-living, energy, waste minimisation and water.

Miss Neale said: “The main thing we’ve done this year, is we’ve built a green house out of plastic bottles.”

The extra green greenhouse in the school’s playground now has tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers growing in it.

The platinum award requires that all pupils in the school are involved. Pupils have also taken part in a walk to school week, litter picking in the community and led assemblies on food waste.

“They absolutely love it. They take responsibility for it, “said Miss Neale.

“The committee also led a decision of a new school bench, which is made from recycled plastic.”