Pupils get hands-on lesson in recycling at Barnstaple school

Children at Lampard School in Barnstaple had the chance to see recycling in action on Wednesday 21 January, when North Devon Council’s waste and recycling officers visited to give a practical demonstration.

As part of the school’s Spring Term 1 topic on recycling, pupils are exploring how to separate different types of waste and what happens to it once it leaves their homes. 

During the visit, officers brought along a recycling vehicle, giving the children a close-up view of how it operates and what the team does behind the scenes.

The visit also allowed the officers to explain their roles and the wider importance of keeping the local area tidy, helping pupils understand the effort involved in managing waste across the community.

The session linked with Lampard School’s ‘Future Fridays’ programme, which encourages students to take part in litter-picking and recycling projects, fostering awareness and responsibility for the environment from an early age.

Councillor Julie Hunt, Lead Member for Waste and Recycling, said: “Visits like this are a great opportunity to help young people understand how waste and recycling services work and why it’s so important to recycle correctly. Engaging with schools helps raise awareness from an early age and encourages positive habits that benefit both the local environment and the wider community. I’m grateful to the team for taking the time to carry out this visit and for the positive engagement they provide.”

Kristel Norris, Lampard’s Assistant Head for SEND, added: "Life skills are a big of our curriculum. It’s great for our children to have these real-life, hands-on experiences that make links with our local services and enable our children to make better environmental choices in the future."

The school hopes the visit will inspire them to take what they have learned into their homes, schools, and communities, promoting environmentally responsible habits that last.