What is Eco-Schools?

The Eco-Schools programme, promoted within the UK by Encams (previously known as Going for Green), is a European wide award scheme that works to decrease the impact that schools have on the environment. The Eco-Schools programme enables environmental education to be integrated into the running of the whole school in a flexible and straightforward way.

Eco-Schools takes a 'whole school' approach towards implementing environmental education and improvements within schools. It works by involving the pupils, teachers, non-teaching staff and governors with members of the local community (parents, local authorities, the media and local businesses). The scheme encourages teamwork to create a shared understanding of how a school can be run to decrease its impact on the environment.

There are 3 awards that schools working on the scheme can aim for;

The Bronze and Silver awards are self assessed and can be applied for on-line. The Green Flag is awarded after completion of a report and an assessment visit by Encams (Environmental Campaigns is the charity which runs the Keep Britain Tidy campaign).

Two years after the Green Flag has been awarded, schools are assessed again and re-awarded the flag if they show continuous improvement. Several Leicestershire schools have managed this prestigious achievement. After schools have been awarded the Green Flag for the fourth time, they no longer need to be re-assessed.

To gain the award, there are several steps schools have to complete. These are:-

A group of pupils who lead the project in school. Ideally, this should be made up of at least one pupil per class and formal minuted meetings should be held once per term. Meetings can be held more often for practical actions. Adult representatives such as the Eco Schools Co-ordinator, Premises Managers and Governors are also really useful Eco-Committee members.

An environmental audit of the school provides information on the school's impact on the environment. The Eco-Schools website provides a useful checklist to help you carry this out.

A list of actions is drawn up from the results of the environmental review to provide a timetabled series of actions.

This is to provide quantifiable results from the project and could include water and electricity meter readings which demonstrate savings. Some schools weigh the amount of litter or recycling that they have collected.

Once schools have registered (without commitment) with Eco Schools, they are sent a curriculum-linked handbook. Eco Schools' activities fit very well into all aspects of the National Curriculum.

Eco Schools has an emphasis on whole school participation. This can be achieved by awareness - raising assemblies, articles in school newsletters, and an Eco Schools notice board. The wider community can be involved through days of action, community newsletters and information evenings.

The Eco-Code is your mission statement. It should demonstrate, in a clear and imaginative way, your school's commitment to improving its environmental performance. Everyone in school should have an opportunity to have an input.

To help schools focus on a particular environmental issue, the Eco-Schools programme has been split into 9 themes. These are:- Biodiversity, Energy, Global Perspective, Healthy Living, Litter, School Grounds, Transport, Waste Minimisation/Recycling and Water.

Examples of ways schools can improve their environmental performance include reducing litter and recycling paper, creating nature areas on the school grounds, saving water and energy by turning off taps and lights when they are not being used, promoting healthy lifestyles and encouraging citizenship. Communication to the wider community plays a key role in the programme, enabling the school to highlight its achievements and planned improvements.

Leicestershire County Council launched the Eco-Schools campaign in Leicestershire, running a pilot project in 1997. Staff from the Environmental Action team in Community Services Department manage an agreement with Leicester and Leicestershire Groundwork (formerly Environ) and Charnwood Environment Network, who provide hands-on support to be delivered to schools including assemblies, assistance with the environmental review and compiling action plans and Green Flag award applications.

In 2005/6 both charities worked with a total of 43 schools in the County with 28 schools achieving Green Flag status. Out of those 28 schools, 12 have been awarded thier 2nd Green Flag and 1 school has even been awarded their 3rd Green Flag.

A survey was conducted in March 2003 in which schools involved in the Eco-Schools Award programme were asked to respond to questions about their participation and the support they receive. From the surveys returned (70%), all said that they found the County Council and Environ's support useful, and nearly 70% of respondents confirmed that they would not have continued pursuing an Eco-Schools award without this support.

The benefits to schools from their participation in the programme include educational awareness, financial savings on heating, lighting and water, an improved school image and a focus for fund raising. More importantly, the children benefit from the programme as they learn to make informed choices about their own relationship with the environment, thus enabling them to carry these behaviours through into adulthood and helping to raise environmental awareness throughout their community.

The first step towards Eco-Schools status is to register with Encams and you will receive a useful Eco-Schools Resource Pack with handbooks and resources to help you towards accreditation. Register on-line at www.eco-schools.org.uk or ring Encams on (01942) 824620.

If you would like your school to be considered for support in the future, please contact the Sustainable Development Officer on (0116) 305 7242 and we can add your details to our list of interested schools. Some existing Eco-Schools in Leicestershire have said they would be happy to help other schools in their area to work towards accreditation.

The Eco-Schools programme, promoted within the UK by Encams (previously known as Going for Green), is a European wide project that works to decrease the impact that schools have on the environment. The Eco-Schools programme enables environmental education to be integrated into the running of the whole school in a flexible and straightforward way.