Eco-Schools - Flying the Green Flag

Andrew Suter, Education Project Manager for Eco-Schools explains the benefits of the Eco-Schools programme and shows how working towards the prestigious Green Flag award can help schools embed sustainable principles into their every-day activities.

Launched in 1995, Eco-Schools is an international awards programme that guides schools on an environmental journey, providing a framework to help them embed the principles of sustainability into the heart of their activities.

Eco-Schools is one of five environmental education programmes run internationally by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE). There are more than 40 countries around the world that run the Eco-Schools programme linking more than 40,000 schools, from Belgium to Brazil, Spain to South Africa.

Eco-Schools in England

In England, Eco-Schools is run by Keep Britain Tidy. Any type of school can join the programme - nurseries, primary schools, secondary schools, colleges, special schools and pupil referral units. In England, more than 11,000 schools (over half the schools in the country) are now registered.

“There are more than 40 countries around the world that run the Eco-Schools programme linking more than 40,000 schools.”
The programme aims to encourage schools to take on board the principles of sustainable development in their everyday work, achieving educational excellence alongside the goals of healthy living, environmental awareness, community participation and global citizenship.

Getting started

Once registered, schools follow a simple process which helps them to address a variety of environmental themes including water, biodiversity, energy, global perspectives, healthy living, litter, school grounds, transport and waste.

Children are the driving force behind Eco-Schools. They lead the eco-committee and carry out an audit to assess their school’s environmental performance.

“In England, more than 11,000 schools (over half the schools in the country) are now registered with Eco Schools.”
Pupils decide which themes they want to address and how they want to go about the process. For example, many schools use Eco-Schools to carry out whole-school elections to select their eco-committee while others integrate environmental work into an existing forum, such as the school council. The programme is designed to be flexible, recognising the varying needs of different school settings.

Awards

Schools work towards gaining one of three awards - Bronze, Silver and the prestigious Green Flag award, which symbolises excellence in the field of environmental activity.

The Bronze and Silver awards are both self-accredited through the eco-schools website (www.eco-schools.org.uk) while the Green Flag is externally assessed by Keep Britain Tidy.

Milestone

Earlier in 2009, Eco-Schools achieved the distinction of having more than 50% of schools in England signed up to the scheme.

Phil Barton, chief executive of Keep Britain Tidy, said: “To reach the stage where over half of England’s schools are registered is a remarkable achievement and a great testament to pupils and teachers across the country.

“Since its inception the project has played an invaluable role in putting a concern for the environment at the heart of young people’s daily lives.

“As the world becomes increasingly aware of the importance of sustainability, I believe that Eco-Schools will play an even greater role in equipping the next generation to meet the challenges of the future.”

Achievement

To mark the milestone, Mr Barton was joined by Environment Secretary Hilary Benn in paying a visit to one of the project’s leading participants, Long Eaton School.

“Schools work towards gaining one of three awards - Bronze, Silver and the prestigious Green Flag award, which symbolises excellence in the field of environmental activity.”

Long Eaton became the first school in the East Midlands to earn its fourth Green Flag in 2007. Its projects include a tulip garden which helps track climate change across the northern hemisphere, toilets that flush using harvested rainwater and outdoor furniture made from recycled materials.

“I’m delighted to see the initiatives that have helped Long Eaton School achieve Green Flag status in the Eco-Schools scheme,” said Mr Benn.

“Schools have an important part to play in helping young people to build a greener future for us all - and it’s young people that will lead the way in creating a healthy environment for future generations.

“It’s a huge achievement that so many schools across England have achieved Eco-School status and demonstrated their commitment to an environmentally-friendly future.”

Getting together

In 2008, Keep Britain Tidy organised England’s first ever Eco-Schools conference to give young people the chance to come together and learn more about themselves and the project.

Over 1,800 visitors attended the Eco-Schools National Exhibition and Conference at Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool.

In addition to pupils and staff, supporters and partners also attended the event with some visitors coming from as far afield as South Africa and Tanzania.

Phil Barton opened the conference and announced the official launch of the new ASDAN Environmental Award for pupils in secondary schools taking part in the scheme.

Eco-Schools worked with awarding body ASDAN to create the award, which can lead to GCSE grade B equivalent.

“Since its inception the project has played an invaluable role in putting a concern for the environment at the heart of young people’s daily lives.”
The conference, which was free to attend, featured workshops and Ask the Experts surgery sessions, giving pupils and teachers the chance to speak to nationally recognised experts on a range of issues.

The Exhibition Hall housed over 30 relevant exhibitors with attractions including wind turbines and solar panels, while presentations took place throughout the day in the Presentation Hall on a variety of topics.

Following the success of the event, this year’s Show will take place on Wednesday 24th June at Stoneleigh Conference and Exhibition Centre near Coventry.

Exciting Developments

These are certainly exciting times for everyone involved in the Eco-Schools project in England. Moreover, while the past year has seen a number of exciting developments, the dedication and commitment of young people and their teachers across the country make it likely that the future will be equally rewarding.

For more information about the Eco-Schools programme please visit the website, www.eco-schools.org.uk or email eco-schools@encams.org