ST Ivo School has gained Fairtrade status for its dedication to supporting workers in developing countries.

For more than a decade the school has promoted Fairtrade through bake-ins, quizzes and competitions, and serves only Fairtrade products in school meetings and after school events.

St Ivo was also granted the status because of its work within the town, which included compiling a directory of shops selling Fairtrade products in St Ives.

For Fairtrade fortnight, students had to sell 90kg of rice – the equivalent a Malawian rice farmer has to sell to send a child to high school for a year.

Barbara Morey, eco co-ordinator at St Ivo, said: “The rice challenge is a great way for students to empathise with those in other parts of the world who might not have such an easy route to an education as ours.”

Howard Gilbert, headteacher, said: “I am delighted that the school has earned this prestigious award. Consideration of ethical issues both national and international must be an important aspect of education and this award recognises the commitment of many in the school to the Fairtrade campaign.”