SALTOUN Primary School has been awarded its second green flag, in recognition of its work as an eco-friendly school.

It held a flag-raising ceremony last month, before schools closed, to celebrate the occasion and the achievements of the school’s 28 pupils.

Statistics on the Keep Scotland Beautiful website say that, out of the 66 schools in East Lothian, only nine hold an Eco-Schools Award.

Sarah Bronsdon, a long-standing parent member of the school’s eco committee, was invited to raise the flag.

It was marched to the flagpole by six pupils in the same style as that of the Olympic Games.

Pupils from primary four to seven composed eco raps, which they performed to those in primary one to three, as well as those in the nursery, parents and staff.

All of the pupils were also entered into an eco logo competition, which was judged after the ceremony.

After the flag was raised, everyone was invited to enjoy green-themed refreshments, provided by the staff and pupils at the school.

Items included herb bread, wraps, grapes, cucumber, and cocktail stick hedgehogs made with cheese and grapes.

An eco cake was also decorated by the pupils, and served with apple juice and lime juice.

To win the Eco-Schools Award, pupils completed a variety of tasks, including taking part in a national big clean and litter picking in the community.

They visited Torness Power Station to learn about alternative energy and focused on reducing, reusing and recycling materials rather than throwing them in the waste.

Each year, the school takes part in the RSPB Big Schools Bird Watch, having been inspired by a workshop with Len Hunter, a local birdwatching enthusiast and RSPB and SOC member.

Claire Hunter, classroom assistant and the school’s eco co-ordinator, said: “The event went very well and the children loved it.

“It was their own idea – I put it to them and asked what they wanted to do. This is what they came up with.

“We also involved the community in a lot of the stuff we did, such as litter picking.”

The school is already planning for its next green flag and is targeting litter, health and wellbeing, and healthy eating. It also plans to grow its own food.