Muirtown Primary School has been named ‘Campaigner of the Month’ by Fairtrade Foundation

Muirtown Primary School has been honoured with the Fairtrade Foundation’s ‘Campaigner of the Month’ award, recognising their outstanding commitment to celebrating Fairtrade Fortnight and championing trade justice for farmers and workers around the world.

Throughout Fairtrade Fortnight, Muirtown Primary School demonstrated exceptional leadership and creativity.

Two pupil leadership groups helped foster a deeper understanding of the connections between fairer trade, human rights, and the Sustainable Development Goals.

The school’s dedication to educating students of all ages about fairer trade and inspiring them to take ethical action has truly set them apart.

A highlight of their activities was the creation of portraits depicting a woman picking tea, proudly displayed at the school’s open afternoon. This creative project not only sparked imagination but also helped students connect with the real people behind their favourite products.

Keira Reid, Fairtrade lead at Muirtown Primary School, said: “As a school, we chose interdisciplinary learning topics that can be linked to human and children's rights as well as the Sustainable Development Goals.

“Fairtrade is a topic available to our learners between primary 5-7. I think learning about Fairtrade is a fantastic way to introduce ethical choices to our young people as well as allowing them to build an understanding of where some of our favourite foods come from.

“We are currently working towards our FairAchiever award as a school and have made links with our local Fairtrade group as well as our local Co-op. We are very proud of our Fairtrade Tea Leaf picker art we have made this term, our parents loved seeing this at our open afternoon.”

Chair of Highland Council’s education committee, Cllr John Finlayson, said: “Congratulations to the pupils and staff at Muirtown primary for this well-deserved award, recognising their work to highlight the importance of fair trade.

“Their project showed creativity, empathy and a passion to develop a deeper understanding of some of the difficulties faced by food producers across the world.

“They can all be rightly proud of their efforts.”

Fairtrade campaigners like Muirtown Primary School are part of a passionate global movement for change.

For over two decades, campaigners have used their collective power to shine a spotlight on the injustices faced by the people overseas who grow some of our best-loved products, including bananas, coffee, cocoa, and tea.

Since the launch of the first Fairtrade School, hundreds of schools across the UK have joined the movement, from primary and secondary schools to special schools.

By committing to Fairtrade, these schools raise awareness among students, staff, and their wider communities about the importance of fairness in international trade -especially for those who grow everyday products like cocoa, bananas, tea, and coffee.

Through lessons, campaigns, and events, Fairtrade Schools are helping to build a fairer future for everyone.

Sarah Brazier, Head of Campaigning and Engagement at the Fairtrade Foundation, said: “Muirtown Primary School has achieved remarkable things in their community, and we are delighted to give them this award in recognition of their efforts. UK campaigners are a vital part of Fairtrade’s mission to ensure farmers and workers in low-income countries get the fair pay, better conditions and support they need to escape poverty, thrive into the future and tackle challenges such as the climate crisis.

"The power of collective action is incredible. If we all encourage our friends and family to choose Fairtrade products when they shop and ask our workplaces to support Fairtrade, it all adds up to make a big difference.”