December Newsletter

Hello Eco-Coordinator,

The Winter Break is almost here!

As the year draws to a close, we want to take a moment to reflect on everything that young people have accomplished through the Eco-Schools programme. Their efforts have once again been stunning, with last academic year’s Eco-Schools Impact Report testament to that! None of it would have been possible without your continued support and dedication. Thank you.

Submit Your Cut Your Carbon Figures

If you took part in our flagship Cut Your Carbon campaign, it’s time to submit your final participation figures on the Cut Your Carbon website. Once you’ve submitted your figures, you’ll receive a personalized Impact Report for your setting, showing an estimate of how much carbon your school community saved by joining the campaign. This report is a great way to celebrate your achievements and inspire others to take action for our planet. Plus, everyone who submits their final figures will be automatically entered into a prize draw to win an incredible opportunity: working with a talented artist to create a free, custom mural for your school!

Cut Your Carbon 2025 – Now Extended

Since the official campaign month ended on 1st December, we’ve had lots of questions from settings asking if they can still take part. Who are we to say no?! This year, we’re extending the campaign, the final date to submit your figures is now 1st February. So if you haven’t registered yet, there’s still time! Just head to the Cut Your Carbon website, registration is simple and quick! January is then the perfect month to cut carbon after a festive season of eating, giving, and celebrating, which often leads to higher carbon emissions. And don’t forget: Cut Your Carbon is a fantastic addition to any  Eco-Schools Action Plan.

Spring Term Training Dates Now Available

Training dates for our free Eco-Schools Spring training sessions are now live, with bespoke options available for both schools and nurseries. Our second session will include a brief recap of Session 1 before moving on to Steps 4–7 of the Eco-Schools framework. We’ll explore how to use environmental issues to enrich learning, how to make the Eco-Schools programme a catalyst for mobilising your school community to live more sustainably, and creating an inspiring environmental mission statement for your setting. Packed with practical advice and real-life case studies, this session is perfect for everyone, whether or not you attended Session 1!

Benchmarking School Carbon Emissions

We’re delighted to announce that on 20th January 2026, we will release our first Count Your Carbon Statistics Report. This report draws on data from all those who have completed a carbon footprint calculation to benchmark emissions across the schools estate. It will share average carbon footprint figures for different school types and highlight which operational areas produce the most, and least, CO₂E. If you haven’t completed your footprint yet, click the link above to register and get started. It’s completely free and an excellent way to kick-start your carbon reduction efforts and shape your Climate Action Plan.

Eco-Projects: Get Loud on Litter

Our next ‘spotlight’ Eco-Project is Get Loud on Litter! With over 2 million pieces of litter dropped in the UK every day, this project empowers young people to tackle litter in their school grounds and local community. It starts with an Eco-Committee investigating local litter before launching an awareness campaign to inspire lasting change. Click above to explore the project. Remember, you can find all 10 new Eco-Projects by logging into your Eco-Schools account, starting an application, and visiting Step 3 Resources.

What Else is Happening?

• Let’s Go Zero is inviting school headteachers and MAT CEOs to join a national research study led by the University of York. Researchers are looking to talk to headteachers and MAT CEOs who aren’t currently taking climate action at their school. In return for taking part in an hour long anonymous online interview, your school will receive a bundle of interactive educational resources worth over £50.The research will support schools like yours to make realistic, effective decisions on climate action. Click here to register interest!
• The DfE’s recent Curriculum and Assessment Review is complete, and from 2027 the National Curriculum will embed climate change and sustainability in a more explicit and integrated way. This is fantastic news for our planet, for young people, and for all settings already delivering the Eco-Schools programme! Step 4 of our programme gives you a valuable head start in meeting this renewed focus on environmental issues. Read the article from our friends at Twinkl to learn more about the upcoming changes.
• On Wednesday 14th January, from 16:00–17:00, the National Education Nature Park is hosting a free, one-hour webinar to help you kickstart your Nature Park journey. During the session, you’ll be guided through the habitat mapping process, learn how to use their Habitat Mapper tool, explore different habitat types and why they matter, and discover creative ideas for running habitat mapping activities with your class. Click here to register.
• The fourth annual Earth Summit takes place on 22nd–23rd June 2026 at Keele University. This inspiring event empowers young people to take climate action and explore careers in sustainability. Study Experiences invites students aged 14–18 to join expert speakers, curriculum-linked content, and hands-on workshops. Students will also experience university life with an overnight stay, engaging discussions, and plenty of fun including a trip to Alton Towers on day 2 of the conference.
• Edd Moore, a former primary school teacher and long-time Eco-Coordinator, achieved five Eco-Schools Green Flags and won the Foundation for Environmental Education Teacher of the Year award. He has channelled a decade of experience into his new book, 100 Ideas for Primary Teachers: Greener School. Packed with tried-and-tested strategies, the book helps school staff deliver the Eco-Schools programme with ideas Edd knows work from his time in the classroom.
• Christmas is a wonderful time for many, but it’s not always great for the planet. Sustainability isn’t about stopping the fun, it’s about making mindful choices. A simple Eco-Committee win this season is sharing sustainable holiday tips with your school community, so all can make informed decisions. Whether through an assembly, newsletter, or social media, it’s an easy addition to an Action Plan and perfect evidence for Step 5. Check out some sustainable tips from WWF.

We hope you have a lovely break and we look forward to welcoming you back in January, fresh and ready to drive forward your Eco-Schools activity in 2026!

The Eco-Schools Team