Schools
Fairtrade in schools and Fairtrade Schools
These workshops have been very popular in many local schools. They are for level 5 pupils. If you would like one in your school please contact us via menu on left.
Sources of information
The schools section of the Fairtrade Foundation website is the most useful starting point. Most of what is here is taken from that site. There is also an introductory PowerPoint presentation to download.
http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/schools
The following are also recommended:
Traidcraft
As well as selling a wide range of Fairtrade products (http://www.traidcraftshop.co.uk/), Traidcraft also run a fun campaign encouraging and equipping young people to make a difference through Fairtrade (visit http://www.seetheflipside.co.uk/ for more information). In addition to this, Traidcraft can also provide speakers (www.traidcraft.co.uk/speakers).
Young Co-operatives
Young Co-operatives is an initiative to help young people to establish and run their own co-operative businesses selling Fairtrade products. It offers an accredited Certificate in Cooperative and Fairtrade Enterprise. Their membership team is also willing help schools through the process of becoming a Fairtrade School. Visit http://www.youngcooperatives.org.uk/
The Co-operative Group
The Co-op has launched its Fairtrade Friendly Primary School pack, complete with CD, and a secondary school pack is in the pipeline. http://www.co-opfairtrade.co.uk/
Dubble and Comic Relief
Dubble Fairtrade Chocolate and Comic Relief have teamed up to produce the fantastic 'Pa Pa Paa' teaching resource, complete with everything you need to teach about Fairtrade and cocoa! You can download free lesson plans and activities at http://www.papapaa.org/ A 'Pa Pa Paa' photo and DVD pack is also available to order; see website for details. Young people can also sign up to be Dubble Agents, and join thousands of others on a mission to change the world, chunk by chunk! Sign up at http://www.dubble.co.uk/ to receive a free choc-secret mission pack, 'Choc-Alert' email updates and access to missions and competitions. The Dubble website is also packed with Fairtrade information and activities.
People & Planet
People & Planet is a dynamic student campaigning network. They support sixth formers (http://peopleandplanet.org/sixthforms) in taking action on Fairtrade, Trade Justice and other global issues. They set up groups in schools and colleges and support them with campaign packs, workshops, events and advice.
Development Education Centres
Development Education Centres are independent resource libraries and information centres that support local communities, including schools. To find your local DEC contact the Development Education Association http://www.dea.org.uk/ or http://www.globaldimension.org/
Reading International Solidarity Centre
RISC is a DEC that stocks and produces a wide range of excellent resources on Fairtrade, including the activity-packed 'Bananas & (Cocoa) Beans' downloadable from their website at http://www.risc.org.uk/education/teaching_resources.html
Oxfam
Oxfam GB has a wide range of resources for young people at www.oxfam.org.uk/coolplanet and specific resources on Fairtrade at www.oxfam.org.uk/coolplanet/milkingit and www.oxfam.org.uk/generationwhy/do_something/ethical Resources for teachers can be found at http://www.oxfam.org.uk/coolplanet/teachers/fairtrade_resources/index.htm#sim
CAFOD
The Catholic Agency for Overseas Development has downloadable resources for primary and secondary schools at www.cafod.org.uk/primary and www.cafod.org.uk/secondary including a Key Stage 4 Fairtrade scheme of work at www.cafod.org.uk/secondary_schools/fairtrade. Visit CAFOD Kidz Zone www.cafod.org.uk/kidzzone for fun Fairtrade games for primary school children. CAFOD's regional schools teams are willing to speak about Fairtrade and accompany schools through the Fairtrade Schools process.
Christian Aid
Christian Aid's Global Gang website contains material for young people at http://www.globalgang.org.uk/homeworkhelp/chocolate/index.html and for teachers at http://www.globalgang.org.uk/planetteacher/fairtrade/
ActionAid
ActionAid (http://www.actionaid.org.uk/) and many other agencies produce campaigning and educational resources on Fairtrade and wider development issues.
Global Gateway
At http://www.globalgateway.org/ schools can find information on the international dimension in education, including international programmes for schools, funding opportunities, special partnership projects, online international school networks, and linking. It lists useful contacts for schools seeking to develop their international work nationally and by region.
Global dimension
http://www.globaldimension.org.uk/ This website is a guide to books, films, posters and web resources which support global, intercultural and environmental understanding for all age groups and subjects. From climate change to poverty, water to fair trade, you can find a large range of teaching resources and background material.
For more information or a local speaker, click on Contact us.
In Fairtrade Fortnight it is sometimes possible to arrange a visit from a Fairtrade producer. Previous visitors include Ghanaian cocoa growers, the manager of a Bolivian brazil nut co-operative, and a Caribbean banana grower.
Activity Ideas
Ideas on how to sell, promote and use Fairtrade products
Fashion show modelling clothes made with Fairtrade cotton
There are often aspiring models in schools. Those that don't want to strut their stuff on the catwalk can help out with hair and make-up, set, lighting, music, announcing... Some suppliers will provide clothes on a sale-or return basis.
Fairtrade football / rubgy / basketball match using Fairtrade balls
Organise a competition between different school teams or different schools using Fairtrade footballs. These are available from Oxfam shops among others. Hannah in Leeds says: "Some schools I've worked with have done this, and it's worked brilliantly. They found they couldn't get insurance for a staff against pupil game, so they organised a teacher versus teacher one instead which most of the school came out to watch and laugh... I mean cheer on!"
Running a Fairtrade stall or cafe
There is a huge amount of fun to be had selling Fairtrade snacks and other goods. It's a brilliant project to introduce business skills or other organisational skills such as sorting out the decor, music, marketing...
Fairtrade cookery club
Make your own food using Fairtrade ingredients. It's great fun whether it's a one-off event, a regular meeting, during lessons, at lunch time or after school.
Fairtrade Easter egg hunt or treasure hunt
A treasure hunt can be done at any time of year. Give lots of clues and hide lots of Fairtrade 'treasure'.
Get your school uniform available in Fairtrade cotton
You can find details on suppliers of Fairtrade cotton and manufacturers of Fairtrade school uniforms from the Fairtrade Foundation at http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/
Fairtrade breakfast or lunch
A good way to start the day is to invite people to a pre-school breakfast club, where you could use Fairtrade fruit juices, muesli, fresh fruit (and tea, coffee, sugar for staff).
Ideas on how to promote and take action for Fairtrade
Have a Fairtrade rich / poor lunch
Use the dining hall or school canteen to show how unequal the world is. Everyone pays the same amount but some get a banquet and others just get rice.
Hold a quiz
A quiz is good fun. Organise people in groups of 4 or 5. Provide Fairtrade refreshments.
Fairtrade food
Why not produce a Fairtrade recipe book, have a baking competition, cake sale or even a Christmas hamper?
Spread the word
Give a presentation about Fairtrade at a coffee morning for older residents, toddler groups or in local schools. Don't forget governors and parents!
Design a poster advertising Fairtrade or image for use as a computer screensaver Organise a competition for the best poster or image.
About Fairtrade Schools
Why become a Fairtrade School?
Because it's only fair that the people who produce what we eat, wear and use should get paid enough to live on and have a chance to improve their lives.
Fairtrade... for the whole school
+ means the school gets local and national recognition
+ supports lots of other initiatives (such as Eco-Schools, International Schools)
+ contributes to making the world a fairer place
Fairtrade... for pupils and students and for the whole school
+ helps to develop new skills
+ has a positive influence on the school community
+ is part of something that's happening all over the country and around the world
+ is fun!
Fairtrade... for teachers
+ provides opportunities to enhance many areas of the curriculum and explore citizenship from a global perspective
+ gives pupils an opportunity to participate and take responsibility for their decisions
+ encourages critical thinking, and offers opportunities for challenge and confidence building.
+ contributes to 'Every Child Matters' and 'Education for Sustainable Development' England and Wales)
You don't have to do it alone! This page signposts organisations that are keen to inspire, offer support, and provide information
Fairtrade Schools: the Five Goals
More information here:
http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/schools/how_to_become_a_fairtrade_school/
To become a Fairtrade School you need to be able to say:
+ Our school has set up a Fairtrade School Steering Group (or committee). At least half of us are pupils or students and we meet together at least once a term.
+ Our school has written and adopted a whole-school Fairtrade Policy. We have the support of the Board of Governors and our Policy is signed by the Headteacher.
+ Our school is committed to selling, promoting and using Fairtrade products as much as possible. If we have problems, we can at least show that we have tried and will continue trying.
+ Our school learns about Fairtrade in at least 3 subjects in each of 2 year groups.
+ Our school promotes and takes action for Fairtrade at least once a term in the school, and once a year in the wider community. This way it becomes a regular part of what we do, and allows everyone to take part in helping to bring about a fairer world.
These goals don't have to be followed in any particular order and remember that it will take your school a year or more to gather the evidence together. Use the Action Guide from http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/schools/support_resources/ to find out why the Goals are important (Section 1C) and to find out how to achieve them (2A to 2D). Use the support and resources available.