First London Fairtrade primary school in Hackney

Jubilee Primary School students celebrate their fair trade title. Photo: Jubilee Primary School

Jubilee Primary School students celebrate their fair trade title. Photo: Jubilee Primary School

Jubilee Primary School in Stoke Newington has been awarded as the first Fairtrade primary school in London after a year’s hard work.

The school had to meet five goals set out by the Fairtrade Foundation in order to gain the award. It uses Fairtrade products as far as possible and shows a wider acknowledgment of the cause in the school and the wider community. Jubliee School uses Fairtrade biscuits, tea and coffee during meetings and also has a Fairtrade stall every Monday which the children helps run.

Lasley Selwyn, Headteacher said: “Some school children have written letters to chocolate company Cadbury, asking them to expand their fair trade range of chocolate. Recently they have also asked their school caterer and the company that sells their uniform if they would like to come under the banner for the use of Fairtrade products.”

“Last term Jubilee was awarded the International School Award and achieving Fairtrade status really underlines the importance to the school of ensuring that our children see themselves as global citizens. They can see that it’s not just about charity, but about enabling others to help themselves. They also learn about other people’s cultures and other ways of life,” added Melissa Davies-Oliveck, the school’s international coordinator.

The Fairtrade Foundation is committed to tackling poverty and injustice through trade by ensuring better prices, decent working conditions, local sustainability, and trade conditions for farmers and workers in the developing world. Certification and product labeling (through the Fairtrade Mark) are the primary tools for the development goals.

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