The new and improved Fairtrade Schools Scheme is here!
Students all over the UK have been running fantastic campaigns to introduce Fairtrade products to their schools. People & Planet groups in schools have spread the word of the injustice suffered by farmers in the Global South. They have shown how the Fairtrade Mark guarantees those farmers better pay as well as the ability to plan ahead and make essential and life-improving investments.
Students from Arthur Mellows school
16 different organisations including People & Planet have been working on Fairtrade with schools for years. Now these organisations have pooled their experiences and ideas and designed a new super-scheme. This means that students can now work towards having a Fairtrade School.
How does a school get Fairtrade Status?
The prestigious Fairtrade Status award will be given to schools by the Fairtrade Foundation. Schools have to meet the 5 goals set out by the Fairtrade Foundation in order to be awarded Fairtrade Status.
The 5 Fairtrade Schools Goals
- Have a Fairtrade School Steering Group which includes at least 50% students.
- Write and adopt a Fairtrade Policy for the whole school.
- Sell, promote and use Fairtrade products at internal meetings, common rooms, staff rooms and open events.
- Ensure the whole school learns about Fairtrade issues in lessons and other ways such as assemblies. Here are some ideas for workshops, lessons and assemblies.
- Promote and take action for Fairtrade in the school and the wider community by holding 3 whole-school activities a year and 1 event open to the local community.
For more details about the 5 goals, see the Fairtrade Schools website
Nab Wood school People & Planet group run a workshop for lower years
Getting Going
Whether your group or your school have been promoting and selling Fairtrade before or not, going for Fairtrade Status is a perfect way to make sure your school makes a long-term commitment to help challenge the unfair rules that keep so many in poverty.
For some ideas on how to get going have a look at our Action Guide and order a Fairtrade Campaign Pack. Why not book us to come and run one of our Fairtrade workshops for Sixth Formers at your school.
If you haven’t got a People & Planet group at your school yet read about how to start a group and get in touch.
Don’t forget to check out the Fairtrade Schools website for more detailed information.
Send us the story of your school
Have you been doing work on Fairtrade in your school, and experienced successes or problems? Your experience could be extremely useful to other groups. Write something up, email it to tradejustice@peopleandplanet.org, and we will put it online as a case study.