Involving the whole school and wider community

One of the key aims of Eco-Schools is to see the whole school participate in environmental activity. Whilst the Action Team will take the lead on planning and developing the Action Plan, it is very important that as many pupils and teachers participate in the projects as possible. For pupils to really engage with Eco-Schools and feel proud of achievements the Action Team needs to ensure the whole school is involved.

One of the best ways of involving the whole school is to hold a regular Day of Action. A Day of Action is an opportunity for everyone in the school – pupils, teachers and non-teaching staff – to get together to work towards achieving some of the targets set out in your Action Plan. You could hold a clean up event or ban junk food for a healthy eating day. You could even turn off lights and heating for the day and hold some of your lessons in the school grounds.

As you progress through the Eco-Schools programme you will increasingly have the opportunity to link the work you are doing to the wider community. Involving parents, neighbours, local businesses and the local authority can be excellent sources of advice, practical assistance and even funding. Schools are the focal point of the whole community and as such can inspire and demonstrate how sustainability can be adopted into homes and at the heart of the local community.

The following shows some areas where you can enhance your Eco-Schools work by including the whole school and the wider community.

When the Action Team is formed:

• Election of pupil representatives
• Deciding on your Eco-Schools themes
• Seeking advice on themes from authorities or local businesses

At Environmental Review stage:

• Survey of school and wider community
• Letters to local businesses to find potential waste operators
• Letters to parents identifying skills the school is looking to secure

When preparing Action Plan:

• Regular feedback to pupils and staff through assemblies or tutor time
• Arranging speakers from outside organisations and businesses
• Extending the Action Plan to include activities for pupils to do at home

Launching Eco-School projects:

• Organising a school-wide launch event explaining the aim and reason for the project
• Issuing a call to action for pupils and parents

As part of monitoring and evaluation:

• Updating and encouraging the whole school at assemblies and tutor times
• Displaying results of your activities throughout the school

Celebrate your achievements:

• Commending or rewarding participants
• Informing the local media
• Organising a celebration event and inviting local community leaders and parents
• Contacting and supporting other local schools

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