What is Eco Schools?
The Eco-Schools programme is a recognised award scheme designed to encourage whole school action for the environment. It accredits schools making a commitment to continuously improve their environment by making environmental action an intrinsic part of the ethos and life of the school - for pupils, staff, families and the wider community.
The topics covered by the Eco-Schools programme are:
- litter
- waste minimisation
- energy
- water
- transport
- healthy living
- school grounds
- biodiversity.
Why get involved?
As part of the School Improvement Framework, local authorities have been asked to report on 'the number/percentage of primary and secondary schools within their area that are participating in the Eco-Schools Award or similar accredited environmental awards'.
Eco-Schools provides plenty of opportunities to link to a wide range of curriculum subjects. Environmental studies, personal and social education, health education and citizenship are of particular relevance.
Over 90% of local authority schools in Scotland are currently registered and involved in Eco-Schools, with more than 550 schools having already achieved the prestigious Green Flag award status. Hotspots of eco activity in Scotland include the council areas of Shetland, Fife, Perth and Kinross, Dumfries and Galloway and North Lanarkshire.
Who can help?
The adoption of Eco-Schools as a performance indicator for schools has led to considerable financial support for the programme from the Scottish Government until 2010 with the appointment of three full-time and six part-time staff, a new Scottish DVD and Eco-Schools Scotland Guide, and a schools grant programme.
Eco-Schools Scotland provides advice and support to schools and local authority officers on how to get involved via networking meetings and in-service training sessions for teachers. Online resources that can raise awareness of environmental and sustainable development issues through activities linked to curriculum subjects and areas are also available. Managing environmental performance demands skills and knowledge directly related to the Scottish curriculum requirements for ages 3 to 18.
Eco-Schools works closely with a range of council departments and staff - in particular education advisers, local biodiversity action plan officers, local Agenda 21 officers and those involved in waste management, litter, energy and transport.
The level of support for Eco-Schools development varies across the different local authority areas. A number have already set up Eco-Schools support groups, where staff from the local authority meet teachers to discuss how they can most effectively support Eco-Schools work in the school.
Eco-Schools Scotland has also established links with other organisations to create further support networks for schools, particularly at a local level.
How do I get involved?
Eco-Schools is straightforward: once schools have registered and implemented the programme, they are entitled to apply for an award. Registered schools receive a free copy of the Scottish Eco-Schools DVD and Eco-Schools Scotland Guide, containing guidelines to implement the programme.
The Eco-Schools Guide clearly outlines the criteria against which to map school achievement in relation to the bronze, silver or green flag awards. The programme promotes continuous improvement and schools must renew a Green Flag award every two years. Once schools have achieved an award at any level they are eligible for a one-off Scottish Government grant of £250 to help them move to the next level.
Registered schools also receive the free quarterly Eco-Schools newsletter and can use the Eco-Schools Scotland website to support their activities.
Further information and advice is available from the UK Eco Schools website and the international Eco-Schools website.
The Eco-Schools programme in Scotland is managed by Keep Scotland Beautiful (KSB). KSB is a national charity committed to the improvement of the environment in Scotland. It is supported by core grant funding from the Scottish Government Environment and Rural Affairs Department and runs campaigns and programmes on litter and waste, marine and beach management and environmental education. There is more information on the Keep Scotland Beautiful website.
Contacts
For further information on Eco-Schools, contact:
Kate Campbell, Eco-Schools Manager
Email: Kate Campbell
kate.campbell@ksbscotland.org.uk
Kirsten Leask, Eco-Schools Senior Officer
Email: Kirsten Leask
kirsten.leask@ksbscotland.org.uk
Catriona Rae, Eco-Schools Administrator
Email: Catriona Rae
catriona.rae@ksbscotland.org.uk
Address
Kirsten Leask
Senior Officer
Eco-Schools
c/o Keep Scotland Beautiful
Islay House
Livilands Lane
Stirling
FK8 2BG
Telephone: 01786 468232/233/234
Fax: 01786 464611
Email: ecoschoolsscotland@ksbscotland.org.uk
