Today was the Grand Opening of Sir Thomas Boteler Church of England High School’s Swap Shop, based in the school’s Art Department. The Swap Shop is a project created by Head of Art Sam Joice, in a bid to teach students the importance of reducing, reusing and recycling, and to give them an avenue to steer them away from fast fashion. Students can swap their nearly-new clothes for tokens, which they can then use to get different clothes through Swap Shop. Students were asked: ‘Have you got clothes in your wardrobe that you don’t wear? Worn twice? Not your thing anymore, but still in good nick? By using Swap Shop, those clothes can to go to a new, loving home, and in return your wardrobe can be full of pieces you love to wear. No cash involved’.

The Swap Shop Grand Opening was a great success and the space was packed out with students, parents and staff, with many students perusing the rails and swapping items they’d brought along for something new for themselves. There are several student volunteers, who proudly wore their ‘Swap Assistant’ badges.

Mrs Joice commented: “I am humbled by the generosity of those who have donated, and how many visitors we had today embracing the project. Not only does this project mean our students can be part of something eco friendly and sustainable, it gives our current and future Swap Shop volunteers the opportunity to gain experience in the operation of a small business.”

Here’s a link to the short promo video to explain a little more about the Swap Shop venture: Swap Shop – YouTube

You can view our Instagram account here:  www.instagram.com/botelerswapshop