THE environment is top of the agenda for the large proportion of teachers representing the Green Party at the next council elections.

Of the 18 candidates who will stand in every ward in Epping Forest at the elections in May, five teach at Chigwell School and another five are also teachers in the district.

Politics teacher at Chigwell School, Simon Pepper, 28, who will represent the Hastingwood, Matching and Sheering Village ward, said he was first introduced to the district’s branch of the party by the school's Classics teacher Chris Lord.

He said he hoped his participation in local politics would encourage his pupils to vote, but made sure he kept his two roles separate.

“It’s being able to demonstrate that it’s possible to wear two hats and I try and only wear the school teacher hat in the classroom,” he added.

“It’s a very green-conscious school. We have a green committee for the staff and also a student council, which is focussed on sustainability, but it’s nothing partisan and it’s not meant to be party-political.”

Mr Lord, 47, who lives in the grounds of the High Road school and will stand in the Lambourne ward, has represented the Green Party at several district council elections in the past.

He said that while he was careful to keep his job and his political life separate, being a teacher gave him valuable insight when dealing with some green issues.

“Cycling is a real problem here, particularly on the school runs,” he said. “Often, it’s one kid per car.

“It’s good for children to be able to cycle to their school, but it has to be safe for that to happen and we have to develop safe lanes away from roads, so that’s something I’ve been working with parish, district and county councils on.”

Waltham Abbey South West candidate Jessica Barnecutt, 28, teaches at King Harold School in the town, but said it was her family as much as her profession that encouraged her to join the party.

“I joined the party about four years ago, on the same night as my mum, who was and old Labour supporter and was disenchanted with the direction New Labour was going in,” she said.

Her grandmother, Anne Harries, is also standing, in the Shelley ward.

Details of all candidates standing for district council elections can be found by visiting www.eppingforestdc.gov.uk/news/2011/nominations_district_council_elections.asp.