STUDENTS and staff at Kingdown School in Warminster have joined in the national mood of trying to cut down on single-use plastic with a plastic-free Friday.

Headteacher Dave Locke has called on the school to observe the day as a time when everyone in the school attempts to do their bit for the environment.

Pupils and staff were asked to bring in re-usable containers for food and drinks and not wrap food in purchased plastic single-use packaging.

In a letter to the school he said: “We want to raise awareness amongst students and the wider community about our aspiration in school to avoid using single-use plastics in the future.

“Bring a container to school and cutlery where required for hot drinks or takeaway food items purchased from our food outlets.

“Remember that this also offers a discount on the price of these products.”

The plastic-free day ran smoothly and pupils were taught the importance of cutting back on single-use plastics.

Speaking after Friday’s event, Mr Locke said: “We wanted to raise awareness amongst students and the wider community about our aspiration as a school to avoid using single-use plastics in the future.

“Plastic-free Friday enabled us to highlight the impact single-use plastic has on the environment and also get our students thinking about alternatives available to them.

“The event has been very successful and we are planning on implementing further changes to aid us with our environmental ambitions.

“These include further improving our recycling facilities in school, and students in all years undertaking a programme of learning based around the environment.”

The Acorn Education Trust, formed in August 2014 and based at Kingdown School, is applying for planning

approval to change the use of a house in Frome Road, Trowbridge, from

residential use to educational use.

The three-bedroom end-of-terrace property currently is being used to house a Kingdown School site technician.

Comments on the plans must be submitted before the consultation deadline of Tuesday, February 12.

Wiltshire Council is expected to make a decision on the application by Friday, March 8.