GLUSBURN schoolchildren have been praised for their go-ahead efforts to reduce their carbon footprint.

North Yorkshire's environment expert Power Down Pete highlighted how knowledgeable the Glusburn Primary School pupils were about climate change.

Pete, alias Peter Bell from the county council's Energy and Sustainability Service, was impressed that they understood the technical language being taught in classes.

He said: "Clearly environmental issues are being placed at the heart of the curriculum at Glusburn.

"Staff clearly have high expectations of the children, who are using terminology I am used to teaching at Key Stage 3. It was a pleasure to work with such keen, well-behaved and well-informed children."

Pupils have had workshops with Pete, and special assemblies as part of UNICEF work to reduce their carbon footprint.

The children also created large hall displays linked to the United Nations Convention On The Rights Of The Child, with a focus on climate change.

They focused on article 13 – freedom of expression – which gives every child the right to find out and distribute information to express their ideas.

Also highlighted was article 24 – health and healthcare – which gives children the right to healthcare services, healthcare services, nutritious food, clean water, a clean environment and healthcare information.

School head Richard Hunt said: "We feel that this work increases children's cultural capital and understanding of the world we share and protect together."