Teachers from across the world visited a Colindale school last week to be taught more about how to develop their own environmental policies.

Seventeen representatives from ORT, the largest Jewish education and training non-governmental organisation in the world, went to St James' Catholic School, Great Strand, on Thursday to learn about green and environmental technologies.

The teachers, who were from nine countries including Italy, South Africa and Mexico, were shown around the specialist science and sports school to view how pupils there are taught about issues such as pollution and renewable energy sources.

Janet Kier, science co-ordinator for environment and enrichment at St James', said: "What we would like to do is encourage everyone to get involved with the environment.

"It doesn't matter how big or small the contribution, if we can invite people in to see what we do and they take a little bit of that with them then we have done our job."

The eco school has its own wind turbine and solar panels, and was once invited to Downing Street to discuss its environmental activities with former Prime Minister Tony Blair.

The World ORT teachers visited the school as part of series of seminars in London focusing on the importance of educating about green initiatives.

Development coordinator for World ORT Sadler Johnson, said: "The environmental issue is a global problem and it has to be a global solution.

"We need to impose upon the students of today that this is an important problem and they are part of the solution.

"The teachers got a lot of ideas from the school of how to incorporate sustainability and regeneration into their curriculum."

Stephen Haskins, 16, has been part of the school's "Eco-squad" for more than four years and believes it is important to learn more about how to help the environment.

He said: "We have found out about the environment and that it's not just a bit of fun, we can actually do something about it.

"It is extremely important for the school to do these environmental things because it builds awareness and shows that even the small things like recycling can make a big difference."