Step 2 Environmental Review

• The Eco-Schools Environmental Review covering all ten Eco-Schools is completed by children, with adult supervision.
• A copy of your Eco-Schools Environmental Review is displayed on your Eco-Board and the findings discussed with children, staff and parents.
• A new Eco-Schools Environmental Review is completed for every Green Flag application.

• Specialist settings, through schools, middle schools, prep schools, pre-pre schools etc. are free to choose which of our Environmental Reviews they would like to complete (Early Years, Primary or Secondary).
• If your Eco-Committee can’t decide on an answer for a question, please feel free to help them!
• Don’t allow your Eco-Committee to worry if they have a low score on any of the topics, instead explain this is why you are participating in the Eco-Schools programme – to improve your school or nursery’s environmental performance.
• The Eco-Schools Team recommends completing your Environmental Review and beginning to answer the Step 2 assessment questions on your Eco-Schools Green Flag application form during October or November.

Eco-Schools Team Tip

Have fun completing your Environmental Review – walk around your school or nursery, allow the children to complete it using bright colours and use the questions to lead discussion and find out the topics and environmental actions that most excite your Eco-Committee.

Compulsory Environmental Review Resources

• Early Years Environmental Review. The official, Eco-Schools Environmental Review designed to be completed by hand, whilst investigating your school or nursery.

or

• Early Years Environmental Review Printer Friendly. A minimalist version of the official, Eco-Schools Environmental Review which can be completed digitally on Word.

 

Who carries out the Environmental Review?

The questions on our Early Years Environmental Review have been designed to be accessible for younger children, although they may need some support reading the questions and writing their thoughts and ideas down.

A third party is offering to complete our Environmental Review (for a small fee) should we ask them to do it? 

No, we never recommend paying for third party support. If you feel like you do need additional support, please do not hesitate to contact the Eco-Schools team who will be happy to help you free of charge.

Do we have to complete each section of the Environmental Review covering all ten topics?

Yes, but we have specifically designed the Environmental Review so it is child-friendly and doesn’t take too long.

We don’t know the answer to one of the questions, what should we do?

Just skip it and move on, it may mean you should think about working on this topic in the future.

Our Environmental Review has been completed by children and looks a bit messy, is this a problem?

No, this is great – it is exactly what we want to see as it shows children have played an active role in completing your Environmental Review.

We scored really badly on our Environmental Review, what does this mean?

Do not worry about the scores on your Environmental Review, the lower you score the more opportunities you have to improve your school or nursery.

We’ve completed our Environmental Review, now what?

First of all, let everyone know what you have found out. Next, put a copy on your Eco-Board for all to access. Finally, when completing your online Eco-Schools Green Flag application you will be asked to scan and upload a copy of your Environmental Review.

We are renewing our Eco-Schools Green Flag, do we have to complete another Environmental Review?

Yes, it is compulsory that the Environmental Review is completed for each Green Flag application.