Latest news from EcoSchools The end of the first year of the HSBC Eco-Schools Climate Initiative project culminated in a poster competition.  Over 200 English schools have signed up to be part of the project at http://www.eco-schools.org/climateinitiative/ and we are now trying to place volunteers from HSBC in schools to work with their Eco-Committees. http://www.eco-schools.org.uk/news/index.aspx?ID=131 Wed, 01 Sep 2010 01:00:00 +0100 2010-09-01T00:00:00 Are you a budding Steven Spielberg or the next James Cameron?  Would you like to make a difference to your environment? Then here’s your opportunity to produce a short film to promote water efficiency and win £500 for your school.  http://www.eco-schools.org.uk/news/index.aspx?ID=129 Wed, 11 Aug 2010 01:00:00 +0100 2010-08-11T00:00:00 With just a few weeks of term left now is the time to be creating your entry to the Young Darwin Prize. The prize was launched on May 22 – International Day of Biological Diversity and entries can be submitted up until the end of August. http://www.eco-schools.org.uk/news/index.aspx?ID=127 Mon, 12 Jul 2010 01:00:00 +0100 2010-07-12T00:00:00 New research from the Royal Horticultural Society shows that gardening not only gives children green fingers, it also gives them skills for life. It's official, gardening is good for children, not only does it help them with excercise but it fuels understanding and can help to shape children in to people to be proud of. http://www.eco-schools.org.uk/news/index.aspx?ID=128 Sun, 11 Jul 2010 01:00:00 +0100 2010-07-11T00:00:00 Keep Britain Tidy’s annual Eco-Schools Show has been a resounding success, with more than 2,000 school children attending the event.   http://www.eco-schools.org.uk/news/index.aspx?ID=126 Thu, 24 Jun 2010 01:00:00 +0100 2010-06-24T00:00:00 Keep Britain Tidy has joined forces with Teachers TV to discover the best green initiatives that are taking place in schools across England. http://www.eco-schools.org.uk/news/index.aspx?ID=124 Wed, 09 Jun 2010 01:00:00 +0100 2010-06-09T00:00:00 With only days to go to the start of the World Cup, a new Keep Britain Tidy poll has revealed that people think England is the ‘dirtiest’ country taking part in the tournament. More than 50 per cent of people thought that England took the title for the most littered country. http://www.eco-schools.org.uk/news/index.aspx?ID=123 Thu, 03 Jun 2010 01:00:00 +0100 2010-06-03T00:00:00 Young people play a vital role in finding innovative solutions to help tackle climate change.  The Stockholm Junior Water Prize (SJWP) is open to pre-university students aged between 15-20 years old.  Entrants compete with projects aimed at improving livelihoods and ecosystem health in the water environment.  Projects can look at any aspect of the water sector, focusing on important local, national or global topics. http://www.eco-schools.org.uk/news/index.aspx?ID=122 Thu, 27 May 2010 01:00:00 +0100 2010-05-27T00:00:00 Keep Britain Tidy was put under the spotlight recently as our eco credentials were put to the test. To promote Green Britain Day on the 17th June 2010 Woodfield Primary School turned the tables on Keep Britain Tidy's Eco-Schools programme to find out just how eco-friendly we are! http://www.eco-schools.org.uk/news/index.aspx?ID=121 Mon, 24 May 2010 01:00:00 +0100 2010-05-24T00:00:00 In the UK around 36,000 tonnes - 620 million batteries - were sold for use in homes last year. That’s 24 batteries for each person in the country. In 2009, only 2% of these batteries were recycled, the rest ended up in landfill. But this is changing fast. On 1 January 2010 a new law gave the UK a target of recycling 25% of its batteries by 2012 and 45% by 2016.  http://www.eco-schools.org.uk/news/index.aspx?ID=116 Mon, 24 May 2010 01:00:00 +0100 2010-05-24T00:00:00 Water Saving Week 2011 - It's time to Act  Water Saving Week is a national awareness campaign which highlights awareness of water waste. Now in its second year, Water Savings Week is proud to announce a poster competition for its 2011 campaign.   http://www.eco-schools.org.uk/news/index.aspx?ID=118 Sat, 15 May 2010 01:00:00 +0100 2010-05-15T00:00:00 Kew’s Great Plant Hunt project needs your help! Join thousands of primary school children across the UK taking part in a free phenology activity between 17-22 May. http://www.eco-schools.org.uk/news/index.aspx?ID=120 Thu, 13 May 2010 01:00:00 +0100 2010-05-13T00:00:00 Fancy entering an international competition with the possibility of winning $1000 for your school?  Eco-Schools in England is part of a larger project on Climate Change with twelve other International Eco-Schools countries and HSBC.  http://www.eco-schools.org.uk/news/index.aspx?ID=110 Tue, 04 May 2010 01:00:00 +0100 2010-05-04T00:00:00 Cross-Curricular Global Citizenship Project Meat-Free Monday, launched by the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Foundation in 2009, encourages school communities to reduce their meat intake in order to do the following: • Protect the environment • Improve pupils' health • Help animals • Fight against world hunger http://www.eco-schools.org.uk/news/index.aspx?ID=115 Mon, 03 May 2010 01:00:00 +0100 2010-05-03T00:00:00 Water Saving Week 2010, which runs from the 12-18th June, is a national campaign which highlights awareness of water waste.  Following last year’s highly successful campaign, the theme of this year’s Water Saving Week is:  ‘3 reasons to save water = Save Energy, Save Money, Be Green’. http://www.eco-schools.org.uk/news/index.aspx?ID=113 Tue, 06 Apr 2010 01:00:00 +0100 2010-04-06T00:00:00 2010 is the International Year of Biodiversity and to celebrate, we’ve teamed up with the Pod to bring you a new campaign to take part in – Bug Month. The Pod has launched a brand new biodiversity topic area with free activities, lesson plans and resources to help you build your very own bug hotel. http://www.eco-schools.org.uk/news/index.aspx?ID=112 Fri, 26 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000 2010-03-26T00:00:00 For Green Britain Day this year, Eco-Schools and the Pod are challenging schools across the UK to use Pod activities to help us save energy and water in schools, to re-cycle more rubbish, to travel in an environmentally friendly way and to conserve biodiversity.  We’ve set some targets in these areas that we want all schools to help us reach them by Green Britain day! http://www.eco-schools.org.uk/news/index.aspx?ID=111 Thu, 25 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000 2010-03-25T00:00:00 ThamesWatch is a wildlife project that has been running for the last 2 years,  the main aim being to get children out and about exploring the Thames and experiencing the vast array of wildlife it has to offer - perfect for a school trip. http://www.eco-schools.org.uk/news/index.aspx?ID=109 Thu, 18 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000 2010-03-18T00:00:00 WOOD is quite possibly Britain's greenest festival; it's powered completely on renewable energy, harnessing the power of the sun, the wind and even the people who attend the event (through a cycle-powered cinema and disco). There are composting toilets (no portaloos!) and a stage made of, you guessed it, Wood. http://www.eco-schools.org.uk/news/index.aspx?ID=108 Wed, 17 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000 2010-03-17T00:00:00 Over 1,500 schools have already signed up to 10:10 and your school can get ActionAid resources to help reduce its carbon emissions. http://www.eco-schools.org.uk/news/index.aspx?ID=107 Mon, 15 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000 2010-03-15T00:00:00 Over 1,000 schools in England are now flying the Eco-Schools flag in recognition of their commitment to environmental excellence and sustainability. http://www.eco-schools.org.uk/news/index.aspx?ID=103 Tue, 23 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0000 2010-02-23T00:00:00 The John Muir Award is a nationally recognized environmental award scheme which encourages people to take greater responsibility for the natural environment by connecting, enjoying and caring for wild places http://www.eco-schools.org.uk/news/index.aspx?ID=106 Mon, 22 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0000 2010-02-22T00:00:00 Win up to £1000 of walking and cycling equipment for your school!  The UK's leading sustainable transport charity, Sustrans, is currently running a competition for schools and they want to hear what Key Stage 2 and 3 pupils would tell the government to do to make it easier for pupils to walk or cycle to school http://www.eco-schools.org.uk/news/index.aspx?ID=104 Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0000 2010-02-10T00:00:00 An Eco-School in Ashton, Manchester, had a special visitor recently as a result of winning a national environmental competition. Pupils at Canon Burrows CE Primary School welcomed the Duchess of Cornwall, Camilla Parker Bowles to their school after winning a national ‘Wipe Our Waste’ competition. http://www.eco-schools.org.uk/news/index.aspx?ID=105 Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0000 2010-02-09T00:00:00 Stuck with linking sustainability to the curriculum? The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) has developed new material to help teach children about the importance of the world’s forests and the role they can play in helping to protect them.  http://www.eco-schools.org.uk/news/index.aspx?ID=102 Mon, 08 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0000 2010-02-08T00:00:00 Thousands of primary schools across the country have a chance to win an amazing allotment makeover by taking part in the biggest ever Grow Your Own Potatoes project. http://www.eco-schools.org.uk/news/index.aspx?ID=100 Mon, 18 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0000 2010-01-18T00:00:00 Eco-Schools and Hippo the Water Saver are delighted to announce the winners of our recent water saving poster competition. http://www.eco-schools.org.uk/news/index.aspx?ID=99 Tue, 12 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0000 2010-01-12T00:00:00 Join the 6 out of 10 primary teachers across the UK who have joined The Great Plant Hunt. You too can spring into action this term with your free primary science resources from Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.  The Great Plant Hunt is a flexible resource clearly mapped to the national curriculum.  http://www.eco-schools.org.uk/news/index.aspx?ID=98 Tue, 05 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0000 2010-01-05T00:00:00 “Do you want to inform and inspire your teaching,  helping your students to become responsible environmental citizens? If you teach secondary sciences, geography or citizenship in the UK and are engaged in communicating environmental issues to young people at this level, then you are eligible to apply for a fully-funded place on this year's Earthwatch Educator Expeditions. http://www.eco-schools.org.uk/news/index.aspx?ID=55 Mon, 04 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0000 2010-01-04T00:00:00 Pupils from four Sandwell Schools visited London to give their advice on tackling climate change to the Prime Minister. http://www.eco-schools.org.uk/news/index.aspx?ID=96 Mon, 21 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0000 2009-12-21T00:00:00 Members of Brighstone Primary School Eco-Schools Council on the Isle of Wight were given the chance to put their questions to two senior councillors recently. http://www.eco-schools.org.uk/news/index.aspx?ID=95 Wed, 16 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0000 2009-12-16T00:00:00 South Holderness Technology College in Preston near Hull recently featured on BBC Look North. The video followed the students on their daily eco journey and can be seen  on the Eco-Schools section of the School's website. http://www.eco-schools.org.uk/news/index.aspx?ID=97 Tue, 15 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0000 2009-12-15T00:00:00 The results are in from the 2009 Footprint Friends WOW Awards Ceremony. Student teams from schools across the UK travelled down to London in  November, to pitch the top ten 2009 WOW ideas to our ‘Green Dragons’ in a Dragons Den-style ceremony at the Frontline Club in Paddington. http://www.eco-schools.org.uk/news/index.aspx?ID=93 Thu, 10 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0000 2009-12-10T00:00:00 The team at Eco-Schools and the Pod would like to congratulate schools on a truly excellent year of inspirational green projects. While your school gears up for some festive fun, why not consider how you can help reduce your impact on the environment during the Christmas period. http://www.eco-schools.org.uk/news/index.aspx?ID=90 Thu, 03 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0000 2009-12-03T00:00:00 Snug as a Bug campaign Buglife has launched a national campaign to get hundreds of people and organisations creating cosy homes for bugs this Autumn! http://www.eco-schools.org.uk/news/index.aspx?ID=92 Wed, 02 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0000 2009-12-02T00:00:00 Switch off Fortnight 2009 has been a huge success with over 2,500 schools taking part. Due to popular demand the deadline has been extended for the free prize draw until the end of the year. http://www.eco-schools.org.uk/news/index.aspx?ID=89 Mon, 30 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0000 2009-11-30T00:00:00 We were amazed and delighted by the overwhelming response we had to our “Win a Tree-mendous Rainforest Frog” competition in partnership with The Prince’s Rainforests Project and we would like to thank everyone who took part for their time and effort. http://www.eco-schools.org.uk/news/index.aspx?ID=88 Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0000 2009-11-24T00:00:00 Keep Britain Tidy is calling on young people to customize their own bin bag to liven up the old dreary sacks. We’re looking for an exciting new design that’s creative, fresh, funky and innovative. http://www.eco-schools.org.uk/news/index.aspx?ID=87 Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0000 2009-11-12T00:00:00 Eco-Schools received high recognition recently after Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) minister David Kidney cited the programme as key to making all schools sustainable by 2020. http://www.eco-schools.org.uk/news/index.aspx?ID=86 Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0000 2009-11-10T00:00:00 The Copenhagen Climate Change Conference 2009 In one months time 192 countries from around the world will meet to agree on how to tackle international climate change - but what does it all mean? These handy facts from the Eco-Schools team will help...... http://www.eco-schools.org.uk/news/index.aspx?ID=85 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0000 2009-11-09T00:00:00 New dates are now available for our two Eco-Schools training courses aimed at teachers and Local Authority Officers. http://www.eco-schools.org.uk/news/index.aspx?ID=83 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0000 2009-11-02T00:00:00 Children across the North East are to spearhead a radical new approach to get everyone recycling more of their waste. http://www.eco-schools.org.uk/news/index.aspx?ID=84 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0000 2009-11-02T00:00:00 Hippo the Watersaver is looking for a new design to decorate its water saving devices and would like Eco-Schools pupils to come up with the design. The winning school will receive a Hippo for every loo in their school and one for every student to take home - all decorated in the winning design! http://www.eco-schools.org.uk/news/index.aspx?ID=78 Thu, 22 Oct 2009 01:00:00 +0100 2009-10-22T00:00:00 The Big Tidy Up is calling on all Eco-Schools to take part in the Big Tidy Up 60 Minute Makeover. On Thursday 26th November we are asking all Eco-Schools to organise a lunch-time litter pick in or around your school. http://www.eco-schools.org.uk/news/index.aspx?ID=79 Mon, 19 Oct 2009 01:00:00 +0100 2009-10-19T00:00:00 More than 6,800 schools have now registered to the Pod, the website for teachers who want to help make their schools greener. The Pod and Eco-Schools team have had a busy summer working on the great new content that was added to the Pod at the end of September: http://www.eco-schools.org.uk/news/index.aspx?ID=80 Sun, 18 Oct 2009 01:00:00 +0100 2009-10-18T00:00:00 Cool it Schools are calling all schools to join their global project for young people who want to do something positive about climate change. http://www.eco-schools.org.uk/news/index.aspx?ID=81 Thu, 15 Oct 2009 01:00:00 +0100 2009-10-15T00:00:00 The Eden website has a Schools & Colleges section which promotes the work Eden is doing and hosts ideas for teachers alongside information on school visits, teacher training courses and the opportunity to link into the international school gardening programme, Gardens for Life. http://www.eco-schools.org.uk/news/index.aspx?ID=82 Thu, 15 Oct 2009 01:00:00 +0100 2009-10-15T00:00:00 On 5th November Eco-Schools will be hosting a conference on the Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Programme. http://www.eco-schools.org.uk/news/index.aspx?ID=74 Thu, 15 Oct 2009 01:00:00 +0100 2009-10-15T00:00:00 Teacher Tracy Riccio from Aragon Primary School, Morden, Surrey, goes under the spotlight with her thoughts on the Eco-Schools programme and our partnership with the Pod.   http://www.eco-schools.org.uk/news/index.aspx?ID=77 Wed, 14 Oct 2009 01:00:00 +0100 2009-10-14T00:00:00 ActionAid counts down to Copenhagen with a free schools pack CountDown to Copenhagen, a FREE resource pack, is now available to help schoolchildren get their voices heard prior to the critical climate talks in Copenhagen in December. ActionAid’s campaign is the schools arm of 10:10, the mass UK campaign which is asking companies, institutions and individuals to pledge a reduction of their carbon emissions by 10% during 2010. ActionAid is offering a FREE starter pack to assist teachers in explaining what is at stake, ensure every child’s voice is heard and help get a good deal at Copenhagen. http://www.eco-schools.org.uk/news/index.aspx?ID=76 Tue, 13 Oct 2009 01:00:00 +0100 2009-10-13T00:00:00 £1,000 prizes  The  love where you live photo competition is about encouraging children at Key stages 2, 3 and 4 to take notice of their local surroundings  -  what’s beautiful and what’s not so great  -  so they learn to enjoy it, and look after it, at a young age. http://www.eco-schools.org.uk/news/index.aspx?ID=75 Thu, 08 Oct 2009 01:00:00 +0100 2009-10-08T00:00:00 Footprint Friends is inviting all UK school-age students from year 6 and above to team up and present ONE BIG WOW IDEA to Wipe Out Waste in their school before a green dragon’s den award ceremony at the Frontline Club in London in November. The deadline for on-line submissions Wednesday September 30th http://www.eco-schools.org.uk/news/index.aspx?ID=73 Fri, 04 Sep 2009 01:00:00 +0100 2009-09-04T00:00:00 The Ashden Awards for Sustainable Energy are seeking entries from primary or secondary schools that have developed both an ethos and practice of sustainability, in which the responsible use of energy is a crucial element. Judges are looking for schools that can demonstrate they’ve made tangible energy savings and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. http://www.eco-schools.org.uk/news/index.aspx?ID=71 Thu, 20 Aug 2009 01:00:00 +0100 2009-08-20T00:00:00 Ashley CofE Primary School and Currie Community High School have been were awarded joint top place in the Ashden Schools Awards, for their pioneering work on sustainable energy. HRH The Prince of Wales announced the winners at a ceremony in London. http://www.eco-schools.org.uk/news/index.aspx?ID=70 Thu, 13 Aug 2009 01:00:00 +0100 2009-08-13T00:00:00 Due to popular demand a range of Eco-Schools stationery is now available to purchase. Products include pencil cases, bags and badges, all of which are made from recycled or sustainably produced materials. http://www.eco-schools.org.uk/news/index.aspx?ID=37 Wed, 08 Jul 2009 01:00:00 +0100 2009-07-08T00:00:00 The Save Our Rainforests poster created by Yoko Doble of Marlborough School in Falmouth was picked out from over 700 entries nationwide to win the all-expenses paid, two-day school trip to the UK’s largest rainforest in captivity! http://www.eco-schools.org.uk/news/index.aspx?ID=69 Tue, 07 Jul 2009 01:00:00 +0100 2009-07-07T00:00:00 Tucked away between Stamford and Peterborough lies the village of Helpston, the birthplace and home of John Clare (1793-1864). He is widely regarded as one of the greatest of the English poets and lived in the village for his first forty years.  Clare Cottage has been refurbished, preserving it for future generations. The cottage is being developed into an environmental and educational centre of excellence, writers' retreat, and visitor centre. http://www.eco-schools.org.uk/news/index.aspx?ID=68 Wed, 01 Jul 2009 01:00:00 +0100 2009-07-01T00:00:00 Would your pupils like to win the chance to meet leading environmentalist and primatologist Dr Jane Goodall? http://www.eco-schools.org.uk/news/index.aspx?ID=66 Wed, 03 Jun 2009 01:00:00 +0100 2009-06-03T00:00:00 As new studies show, children are spending more hours in the virtual world, this has led to a displacement with the time children interact with nature. It is therefore important to find new creative ways in which children can learn to appreciate nature and engage with it in a positive way. http://www.eco-schools.org.uk/news/index.aspx?ID=65 Wed, 22 Apr 2009 01:00:00 +0100 2009-04-22T00:00:00 Primary school children across the UK will join scientists at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew in a mass observation study to provide a snapshot of natural Britain. http://www.eco-schools.org.uk/news/index.aspx?ID=64 Tue, 21 Apr 2009 01:00:00 +0100 2009-04-21T00:00:00 Eco-Schools and GWP Packaging are delighted to announce the winners of our recent "Recycling: Why Bother?" poster competition. http://www.eco-schools.org.uk/news/index.aspx?ID=60 Mon, 20 Apr 2009 01:00:00 +0100 2009-04-20T00:00:00 WOOD festival is a brand new type of event, one run on completely renewable energy. It's organised by the same chaps behind TRUCK, a small summer festival running for over a decade. WOOD was motivated by a desire to celebrate two of their favourite things nature and music through workshops and great live acts. The event runs entirely on renewable energy and aims to highlight green issues and promote ecological living. So that means wood burning stoves heating the showers, solar and peddle powered stages, composting toilets, local organic food and cycle powered disco. http://www.eco-schools.org.uk/news/index.aspx?ID=62 Fri, 10 Apr 2009 01:00:00 +0100 2009-04-10T00:00:00 The Big Tidy Up has now launched its spring campaign with a new look website and some brand new awards to honor those groups and individuals that are doing their bit to tackle litter in our communities. http://www.eco-schools.org.uk/news/index.aspx?ID=57 Thu, 09 Apr 2009 01:00:00 +0100 2009-04-09T00:00:00 Wildlife conservation charity, the People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES), is asking all wildlife lovers to take part in what will be the 7th annual survey of mammals in the urban environment; Living with Mammals. PTES is keen to get more schools taking part in the survey, especially those who have chosen biodiversity and school grounds as their eco-schools topics.  http://www.eco-schools.org.uk/news/index.aspx?ID=58 Thu, 09 Apr 2009 01:00:00 +0100 2009-04-09T00:00:00 Eco-Schools has introduced new guidance for early years, helping to make the programme even more accessible to nursery schools and children’s centres. http://www.eco-schools.org.uk/news/index.aspx?ID=54 Thu, 09 Apr 2009 01:00:00 +0100 2009-04-09T00:00:00 With climate change and children’s health at the top of the agenda, Sustrans believes that encouraging young people to walk and cycle to school is a vital part of securing a sustainable and healthy future. It does not only reduce the ‘school run’ congestion but acts as a great way to introduce exercise in a fun and interesting way. http://www.eco-schools.org.uk/news/index.aspx?ID=56 Thu, 26 Mar 2009 00:00:00 +0000 2009-03-26T00:00:00 Spring is a great time to celebrate earthworms. As the weather gets warmer they are becoming more active, and as we dig over our gardens and plant seeds we see more of them and are reminded of what they do for us. This spring, wildlife charity Buglife, is inviting primary schools across the UK to take part in ‘Worm Week’. http://www.eco-schools.org.uk/news/index.aspx?ID=52 Wed, 18 Mar 2009 00:00:00 +0000 2009-03-18T00:00:00 Eco-Schools has recently partnered with The Pod to bring you free, practical activities and lesson plans, all available online, to help you meet your Eco-Schools objectives. http://www.eco-schools.org.uk/news/index.aspx?ID=34 Tue, 10 Mar 2009 00:00:00 +0000 2009-03-10T00:00:00 Would you like to make your area a better place to live? Well now’s your chance. Eco-Schools has teamed up with Live Nation, the most comprehensive music search engine website to help put something back into communities specifically for environmental improvements. http://www.eco-schools.org.uk/news/index.aspx?ID=51 Mon, 23 Feb 2009 00:00:00 +0000 2009-02-23T00:00:00 Schools participating in the Eco-Schools programme have now got a free online resource to help them plan exciting and engaging lessons. The Ashden Schools Resource helps schools to promote and encourage thinking about sustainable energy solutions especially those implementing the Energy and Global Perspectives topics. http://www.eco-schools.org.uk/news/index.aspx?ID=48 Wed, 14 Jan 2009 00:00:00 +0000 2009-01-14T00:00:00 CPRE and The Wiltshire Wildlife Trust have produced a new creative education pack for schools revealing how litter can easily hurt or even kill wildlife, and putting into sharp focus the wider damage litter has on our environment.   http://www.eco-schools.org.uk/news/index.aspx?ID=46 Mon, 12 Jan 2009 00:00:00 +0000 2009-01-12T00:00:00 Receive a a free growing kit if you are one of the first 12,000 schools to register with the Potato Council to Grow Your Own Potatoes. http://www.eco-schools.org.uk/news/index.aspx?ID=45 Sun, 11 Jan 2009 00:00:00 +0000 2009-01-11T00:00:00 Market Harborough CE Primary School is the first school across the UK to win a gold award for participating in green activities which included, tree planting, reducing carbon emissions and recycling. The Green Tree Schools Award scheme rewards schools every time they participate in inspirational learning events, projects or initiatives provided by the UK’s leading woodland conservation charity, the Woodland Trust. http://www.eco-schools.org.uk/news/index.aspx?ID=35 Mon, 06 Oct 2008 01:00:00 +0100 2008-10-06T00:00:00 To support International Walk to School Month, Environmental Protection UK have launched their brand new interactive online Travel Buster – a colourful cartoon calculator aimed at encouraging 7 – 11 year olds that walking, or cycling, to school is healthier for them and their local environment. http://www.eco-schools.org.uk/news/index.aspx?ID=36 Mon, 06 Oct 2008 01:00:00 +0100 2008-10-06T00:00:00 Roots & Shoots is the Jane Goodall Institute’s Education Programme for young people. It inspires practical positive action for people, animals and the environment by developing an understanding of how important a healthy planet is to human survival. http://www.eco-schools.org.uk/news/index.aspx?ID=33 Thu, 02 Oct 2008 01:00:00 +0100 2008-10-02T00:00:00 There has been a slight change regarding the way schools renew their green flag. From September 2008 permanent green flags will now no longer be awarded and all green flags will need to be renewed two years after the date they were received. http://www.eco-schools.org.uk/news/index.aspx?ID=28 Sat, 06 Sep 2008 01:00:00 +0100 2008-09-06T00:00:00 Eco-Schools has recently written guidance for the  Department for Children Schools and Families to explain how national school schemes and awards like Eco-Schools compliment each other and help deliver the Governments Sustainable Schools Strategy. http://www.eco-schools.org.uk/news/index.aspx?ID=22 Fri, 05 Sep 2008 01:00:00 +0100 2008-09-05T00:00:00 The 2008 Eco-Schools National Exhibition and Conference saw the launch of the ASDAN Environmental Award. Written by Eco-Schools and ASDAN the Award accredits individual pupil work towards Eco-Schools and is the first nationally recognised qualification in sustainability for secondary school students. http://www.eco-schools.org.uk/news/index.aspx?ID=23 Sun, 24 Aug 2008 01:00:00 +0100 2008-08-24T00:00:00 The 18th September saw  the launch of The Pod, EDF Energy's Programme for Greener Schools.  Visitors to the Eco-Schools Show in June will have had a sneak preview as the show was sponsored by The Pod, now everyone else can see what all the fuss is about. http://www.eco-schools.org.uk/news/index.aspx?ID=29 Sat, 23 Aug 2008 01:00:00 +0100 2008-08-23T00:00:00 Kingswood school have begun to develop a student website based on the "eight doorways" of the Sustainable Schools Strategy and they need your help. http://www.eco-schools.org.uk/news/index.aspx?ID=32 Sat, 23 Aug 2008 01:00:00 +0100 2008-08-23T00:00:00 Our Big Tidy Up campaign is set to get the whole country tidying up their patch – and we’d like your school to join the thousands of Eco-Schools that are already involved! Keep Britain Tidy is launching England’s biggest ever tidy up - helping schools and communities get together and clean up their patch. You’re encouraged to run your tidy up in September, however tidy ups can happen any time throughout the year – so you can take part in a Big Tidy Up whenever you choose. http://www.eco-schools.org.uk/news/index.aspx?ID=27 Fri, 22 Aug 2008 01:00:00 +0100 2008-08-22T00:00:00 Pupils now have the opportunity to voice their opinions and ideas regarding their school journey through a new newsletter. Sustrans, the UK's leading sustainable transport charity, has launched a new free newsletter about the school journey, TRACKS, written for young people, by young people. http://www.eco-schools.org.uk/news/index.aspx?ID=31 Fri, 22 Aug 2008 01:00:00 +0100 2008-08-22T00:00:00 Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew is on the look out to find the next Charles Darwin and it’s asking Eco-Schools around the UK to take part. To coincide with the 200th anniversary year (2009) of Charles Darwin’s birth, RBG Kew has teamed up with the Wellcome Trust to create The Great Plant Hunt, an innovative project that aims to get primary school children out and about and excited by nature. http://www.eco-schools.org.uk/news/index.aspx?ID=25 Wed, 20 Aug 2008 01:00:00 +0100 2008-08-20T00:00:00 On Friday 26th September the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) UK Working Group will be holding their first ever FSC Friday and are encouraging Eco-Schools to celebrate with them. http://www.eco-schools.org.uk/news/index.aspx?ID=26 Wed, 20 Aug 2008 01:00:00 +0100 2008-08-20T00:00:00 Eco-Schools in England has just agreed a joint working relationship with the British Council.  Eco-Schools has teamed up with the Council to support Eco-Schools linking with schools overseas as part of their Global Gateway and International Schools Award.   http://www.eco-schools.org.uk/news/index.aspx?ID=24 Wed, 04 Jun 2008 01:00:00 +0100 2008-06-04T00:00:00 Throughout May 2008 Alan Chambers MBE and Peter Herbert have been crossing Greenland unassisted as part of the Great British Mobility Group Feet of Green expedition. http://www.eco-schools.org.uk/news/index.aspx?ID=18 Tue, 20 May 2008 01:00:00 +0100 2008-05-20T00:00:00 This year Earthwatch is offering 25 awards to Science and Geography educators with a passion for conservation and the environment. http://www.eco-schools.org.uk/news/index.aspx?ID=15 Tue, 01 Apr 2008 01:00:00 +0100 2008-04-01T00:00:00 The number of Eco-Schools registered in England  passed 9,000 this month. We think that’s a fantastic achievement which translates to over 40% of all English schools. http://www.eco-schools.org.uk/news/index.aspx?ID=11 Fri, 08 Feb 2008 00:00:00 +0000 2008-02-08T00:00:00 BBC Breathing Places Schools is a 2 year project which launched on 31 January 2008. They will be inviting primary schools to take part in a simple Do One Thing activity each term and these will be appropriate to the season. http://www.eco-schools.org.uk/news/index.aspx?ID=9 Tue, 05 Feb 2008 00:00:00 +0000 2008-02-05T00:00:00 Earth Restoration Service  has received funding to establish School Tree Nurseries in Schools around the UK. http://www.eco-schools.org.uk/news/index.aspx?ID=12 Mon, 04 Feb 2008 00:00:00 +0000 2008-02-04T00:00:00 The new Eco-Schools website has finally arrived.  The site has been rewritten with your comments in mind so we'd love to know what you think of the results. http://www.eco-schools.org.uk/news/index.aspx?ID=10 Sun, 03 Feb 2008 00:00:00 +0000 2008-02-03T00:00:00 Sun, 03 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.eco-schools.org.uk/rss/index.aspx?ID=news Sun, 03 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT eco-schools@keepbritaintidy.org