The Eco-Schools programme improves the environment, saves money and brings international recognition. It provides the following key benefits:
Small changes to the environmental management of a school can result in considerable financial savings.
Schools in the UK spend on average £100m on electricity; £106m on water; £39m on cleaning up litter and stopping vandalism; £56m on emptying bins; and a whopping £150m on paper and school stationery every year. Cutting out draughts, closing doors and windows or switching off lights and electrical appliances when not in use will reduce the energy bills. For example, energy-saving light bulbs last up to ten times longer than ordinary ones and save between £5 and £10 per bulb, per year. Considering the amount of light bulbs required in schools this change could prove to be a massive saving.
Involvement in Eco-Schools raises the profile of your school locally, regionally, nationally and internationally.
The Eco-Schools process should be enjoyable and rewarding for the whole school community. Celebrating your successes encourages people to work towards the next award level or continue to be involved in a long-term project. Schools achieving a Bronze and Silver award receive a certificate and the Green Flag is awarded with a large flag and the opportunity to use the Eco-Schools logo on school letter-headed paper.
On a local level, Eco-Schools often have the opportunity to promote their achievements to the local community. This can include displays in local libraries or supermarkets, contact with other participating schools and through local council communications. Another excellent way to gain recognition and publicity is through the local media.
Green Flag award winners are also recommended to write to their local MP and the Director of Education in their local education authority. Often this results in a letter of congratulations for the school or even a visit which could be used as a good media opportunity. Visit www.locata.co.uk/commons for details of MPs.
Eco-Schools provides an effective way of introducing a variety of environmental topics into the National Curriculum, developing a much more creative learning environment for all pupils.
Eco-Schools provides real in-school issues to deliver cross-curricular themes, whilst also encouraging scientific review and data analysis. Undertaking Eco-Schools provides an overarching framework for pupils, helping them to understand how different issues are linked together, i.e. the connections between transport and pollution or management of the school grounds and increased biodiversity.
Recent research into how the brain works and absorbs information has recognised the value of first-hand learning experiences. Hence the current acclaim for hands-on activities, project and problem based learning methods and integrated approaches.
Evidence suggests that motivation is also significantly improved when pupils are able to see the big picture. By letting pupils know why the work they are completing is important, and showing them where it fits in on a local and global scale, you are enabling them to see its value. The Eco-Schools programme encourages this big picture approach.
The activities suggested in Eco-Schools often focus on a combination of ‘intelligences’ (visual – physical – naturalistic) which are frequently overlooked in a classroom setting. Practical, real-life activities have the potential for the development of thinking skills, providing opportunities for children to make connections between subjects. Experiential learning in the outside classroom in ‘real’ situations has the capacity to raise standards across a range of subjects. We know that everyone has a unique learning, working and thinking style and the diversity of tasks that can be completed to achieve Eco-Schools status, recognises this.
Building strong partnerships with the local community is a vital part of Eco-Schools, ensuring young people become more engaged with local decision making. The Eco-Schools programme is designed to involve as many people as possible, both inside and outside school, to raise their awareness of environmental issues.
The school community includes pupils, teachers, non-teaching staff, governors, parents and other relatives, local clubs, associations and businesses, etc. Within this community there will be a wealth of knowledge and expertise that Eco-Schools may be able to use. For example, there may be a number of bricklayers, carpenters, plumbers, etc. who could spare a few hours from time to time. Local businesses are also a rich source of support and rather than simply providing financial help may also be interested in donating their support in terms of volunteer time or materials.
one of the benefits of taking part in Eco-Schools is the improvements that are made to the school environment, both inside school buildings and within the school grounds.
Eco-Schools is an umbrella project that your whole school can work towards. It provides an ideal focal point for work across different year groups. It helps to improve student/staff lines of communication and unites the whole school community behind a common cause. By encouraging pupils to take responsibility for the environmental management of their school, you will help them develop an increased sense of responsibility for their surroundings.
Eco-Schools enhances and thrives within a caring school community where the views of others are valued and action is taken in response to these views. The school becomes a place to make positive changes and to make a difference.
Many schools following the programme have reported an improvement in the behaviour of pupils as they develop an increased sense of belonging and pride within the school.
| Green Flag: | 1,179 |
| Silver: | 3,905 |
| Bronze: | 4,648 |
