Year 3 pupil Thomas is showing classmate Dominic the skittles game he made with plastic drinks bottles for homework. At our school we’re not just creative - we make a special effort to recreate things of value out of materials others might throw away. As members of Stockport schools’ Action Waste Club we bring recycling into many curriculum areas, including geography, citizenship, PHSE, design and technology, and art.

Other pupils made vases from noodle pots and a tissue-holder from a take-away carton. It’s a great way to combine play with learning and with awareness of our environment and the wider community. It benefits literacy too - how to make a useful new object out of old packaging is an ideal subject for a lesson on writing instructions. It’s amazing how much excitement this project generates, and everyone at home gets involved too.

Sue Moscow, headteacher, and Jo Fyans, Year 3 class teacher, Orrishmere Primary School, Cheadle Hulme, Stockport