Step 7 Eco-Code

• Children on the Eco-Committee are involved in creating your Eco-Code, which reflects your current Eco-Schools Action Plan (including the three topics you have been working on).
• Your school or nursery has an awareness of your Eco-Code and your Eco-Code is displayed on your Eco-Board (physical or digital).

• Your Eco-Code can take any format you like: poem, song, rhyme, poster, artwork etc.
• Your Eco-Code should be updated annually to reflect new topic actions included in your current Action Plan, this doesn’t necessarily mean creating a new Eco-Code every year, it can mean treating your Eco-Code as a working document, which evolves as the Eco-Schools programme embeds and expands in your school.
• The Eco-Schools Team recommends creating an Eco-Code and completing this section of your Eco-Schools Green Flag application during May.

Eco-Schools Team Tip

Make your Eco-Code simple so younger children can interact with it, the Eco-Schools team all love when an early years Eco-Code is performed to a nursery rhyme or song.

• Early Years Eco-Code Optional Template. An optional template which can be printed and used to display your Eco-Code.

What is an Eco-Code? 

The Eco-Code is the Eco-Committee’s mission statement. It should demonstrate – in a positive, clear and imaginative way, a commitment to improving your environment. The Eco-Code can take any form you like: song, rhyme, picture, poem etc.

How often do we need to change the Eco-Code?

We recommend you update your Eco-Code annually. This is because the Eco-Code should reflect the topics your school is working on and there should be slight changes to these topics every year.

How can our children be involved in creating the Eco-Code?

Whilst they may be too young to create an Eco-Code by themselves, they should have the opportunity to share ideas about what they want to include in their Eco-Code.

Do all children have to know our Eco-Code?

No, some children in Early Years settings may be too young to memorise the Eco-Code. Where possible, we would expect children to be aware of the Eco-Code and have some understanding of it. If it helps your Eco-Code can be linked to an existing nursery rhyme or song that your children already know.

Where should we display our Eco-Code?

Your Eco-Code should be displayed on your Eco-Board and in various other places within your building.

Why is this the final step?

The Eco-Code is the final step as it should reflect the work your Eco-Committee have carried out to achieve Eco-Schools Green Flag status – it’s your celebration statement!