Strathaven Fairtrade Primary Schools
"As a teacher I realise how difficult it is to fit everything into an already crowded curriculum and I don't believe that Fairtrade should be wheeled out once a year. To make it meaningful for the children it has to be ongoing - weekly tuckshop, Fairtrade football, etc. I don't claim to have all the answers but I have tried to incorporate aspects of Fairtrade into various class lessons," said Eileen Rowney, a local teacher.Here are the local primary schools that work closely with Strathaven Fairtrade:
CHAPELTON PRIMARY SCHOOL: In August 2005, Chapelton's submission received the blessing of the Fairtrade Foundation. On Friday 18th November 2005, at a school assembly, Linda Fabiani our patron made a formal presentation of the certificate to the school. Congratulations Chapelton, the Strathaven area's second Fairtrade primary school.
GILMOURTON PRIMARY The new Headteacher, Ellen Jack in charge of both Sandford and Gilmourton schools has been very enthusiastic and supportive, so we can hope for progress towards Fairtrade status at Gilmourton in the near future.
KIRKLANDPARK PRIMARY: The Headteacher of Kirklandpark, Elaine Kirkwood is very keen for the school to become a Fairtrade School. The school is well on its way to compiling a submission for recognition of Fairtrade status. Alan Marshall, teacher at Kirklandpark has joined the Strathaven Fairtrade Group, he has prepared and is using a unit on Fairtrade in the school's curriculum. He has also held a Fairtrade event.
SANDFORD PRIMARY:
Sandford Primary are proud to be Scotland's first 
Fairtrade school. This recognition was awarded to the school by Tadesse Meskela of Ethiopia's Oromia Coffee Cooperative. Tadesse has helped promoting Fairtrade values with the film Black Gold. The school continues to develop Fairtrade ideals through coffee mornings, weekly tuck shops and cross curricular activities.
ST PATRICK'S PRIMARY: In September 2005 at a meeting in London the new criteria for achieving Fairtrade School status were agreed and all schools under our present system will be awarded certificates. St Patrick's submission was sent off in late September and a presentation was made at a school assembly by Linda Fabiani in January.