Officially launched by the Fairtrade Foundation at Fairtrade Fortnight in March 2007, the fairtrade school scheme gives UK schools the opportunity to be awarded fairtrade status. Becoming a fairtrade school is an excellent way to involve pupils, teaching staff and other school employees in an international movement which can help millions of people around the world.
The Fairtrade Foundation has five main criteria which need to be met in order to become a fairtrade school. Firstly, the school needs to set up a fairtrade steering group, which can consist of staff and pupils and is responsible for leading the school in becoming fairtrade. Next, a written policy is required on becoming a fairtrade school. As part of becoming a fairtrade school the remaining requirements are to sell, promote and use fairtrade products within or around the school, to learn about fairtrade issues and to promote fairtrade in the school as well as the local community.
All of these criteria go towards being certified as a fairtrade school and you can find out about them in more detail on the Fairtrade School website. Their website also includes links to other sites which might be useful for pupils and teachers. Becoming fairtrade is a great way for a school to include this important topic in the curriculum in order that everyone learns more about the positive effect fairtrade can have on people’s lives.
To find out more about fairtrade in general visit our Fairtrade Foundation page as well as our other fairtrade pages which can be found via the sitemap
