Raynes Park School is already living up to its reputation as the greenest school in south-west London as the nominations for the Green Guardian Awards 2008 opened last week.

The school won the secondary schools' award in 2007 for pushing environmental issues to the top of its agenda, forming a green team of pupils and staff to promote a culture of sustainable action at the school.

The team even prompted 780 students and staff into completing home energy audits as well as encouraging the use of recycling bins in every classroom.

And last week, pupils built on their green achievements by joining Merton Council officers in conducting a waste audit at the school.

Geography teacher, Regan Koch, who set up the school's green team, said: "I felt that environmental education was part of the curriculum at school and was talked about in lessons, but we weren't really doing anything about it.

"It's something I've woken up to recently. Geography is about exploring the world and what's out there, so you can't help but notice that things are changing - often in a negative way. It forces you to take a stand."

The Green Guardian Awards 2008 are open to everyone who is taking action to live a more sustainable lifestyle in south-west London - at home, at school, at work and in the wider community.

The awards are open to anyone who lives works or studies in the boroughs of Croydon, Hounslow, Kingston, Merton, Sutton and Richmond.

Recognition is given to the greenest primary school, secondary school, project or group, household, business and building. Awards also go to an individual "green champion" and young environmentalist.

  • To nominate someone for a green award click here