Caring Hartlepool primary school pupils launch clean up crusade

Nearly 50 Year 3 pupils at West View Primary School, in Hartlepool stormed the school grounds with litter-pickers and bin bags in an attempt to make the premises nicer.

The litter picks were originally planned to take place during the Great British Spring Clean between May 28 and June 13.

But the pupils have taken the initiative to heart and and will continue organising the clean-ups.

Nearly 500 children from nursery age to Year 6 have signed up to participate throughout different days of each week.

Year 3 teacher Carey Donkin said: "I live in the area as well and I know a lot of the staff do.

"It’s really nice to feel the kids actually want their area to look nice and they do care about the amount of litter that they’re seeing in the area that they live in.

"A lot of them point out any litter that they see when they go in the park and they point out if they’ve seen vandalism.

"The kids genuinely care and it does upset them.

"So it’s quite nice as a school to be able to help them do something about the area that they’re in.”

It is hoped the activity could also help the youngsters land the International School Award, run by the British Council.

As part of the criteria, pupils have to look at an international-related matter, with staff and children choosing to explore the environment and what different countries do for it.

Ms Donkin explained: "At the moment we are working towards the first level, which is the foundation level and we are hoping that next year we can get to intermediate level.“

The school plans to head out shortly to nearby Davison Drive.

Ms Donkin added: “It would be nice to go out on Davison Drive because that’s where it impacts the children, because that’s where they live in.

“So it’s nice to be able to make that better for them, help them have that sense of an ownership over it.”

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