SCHOOLS across Furness have shared a £35,000 pot from BAE Systems for use in encouraging sustainability and environmental projects.

Infant and junior schools could apply for up to £750 each. For secondary schools, the figure was £1,500.

In the end, 37 schools received funding with projects including transforming schools gardens, staging an educational sustainability day and buying a plastic shredder.

Cartmel Priory School used the funding to stage a Sustainability Day. Pupils from years 7-to-10 attended workshops where they designed an industrial facility operating solely on renewable energy.

At Lindale CE Primary, the funding was spent on making the school grounds more wildlife-friendly. The children came up with ideas such as planting flowers for bees, creating a pond and a bird feeding station. It was also a chance to get more people involved in caring for the school’s garden.

Lindale teacher Kim Law said: “The children really loved spending time outdoors working together to improve the school grounds for wildlife. Since we did this, they have seen the new plants grow and flower and this has already been beneficial in our KS1 science lessons on growth.”

Leven Valley CE Primary School, in Backbarrow, is already net carbon zero. There the BAE Systems funding was used to work with Grizedale Arts on a video and filmmaking workshop for Year 5 and 6 pupils.

Headteacher Ian Nicol said: “Across the school children, staff and families are now more aware and have a greater understanding of climate change and environmental sustainability issues. They have a knowledge of how Leven Valley School reduced its own carbon footprint over a number of years. Year 5 and 6 children have developed their film making skills and knowledge too.”

Neil Doherty, BAE Systems Submarines Social Impact Manager said: “The applications we received from schools were all really different but all demonstrated the main objective of increasing knowledge and interest in environmental issues, which was great to see.

“We recognise this is a very important issue and hope that the funding provided will have enhanced the excellent work schools are already delivering.”