Topping idea for play time

The school's Environment Club – the first high school in Leeds to be awarded Green Flag status – has challenged the rest of the school to collect plastic tops from milk cartons which are recycled by a specialist company. The plastic is then used to make children's outdoor play equipment – and gardening equipment.

In an example of sustainability at work, Gateways School nursery plans to buy some outdoor play equipment made from recycled plastic.

Dr Sara Newton, science teacher and Environment Club organiser, said: "It is great that the whole school is getting behind this initiative, and the fact that we will be purchasing equipment made from recycled plastic means that the girls can see true sustainability in action."

Headmistress Yvonne Wilkinson added: "We are extremely proud of our status as a Green Flag school and take that responsibility very seriously. The Environment Club is doing a fantastic job of making us all aware of green issues and it's wonderful to see everyone working together on this project which is of great value to the environment."