Eco – Schools Scotland

1. Eco – Schools Scotland

2. What is the Eco-Schools programme? • International initiative • Encourages whole-school action for the environment • Learning resource • Environmental management tool • Recognised award scheme

3. The 9 Eco-Schools topics • Litter • Waste minimisation • Energy • Water • Transport • Health and Well Being • School grounds • Biodiversity • Sustaining Our World

4. Key features of an Eco-Schools programme Environmental Review Eco Code Action Plan Eco Committee Monitoring action & Evaluating Progress Involve whole school and community Link to the Curriculum

5. Eco Committee • A mixed group of adults and pupils • Pupils volunteer and are selected by peers • Adults could include teachers, support staff, parents and co-opted adults for specific tasks • Meets at least twice per term • Pupils share minute-taking responsibility • Pupil reps report back to rest of school • Reports to Parent Forum and local community • Minutes displayed on school Eco noticeboard

6. Environmental review • Must be carried out annually • Must review all 9 topics • As many pupils as possible should participate • Ensures that no significant areas are overlooked • Helps pupils and the rest of the school community understand the environmental impacts across all 9 topics • Provides information to prioritise the action to be taken • Results displayed on school Eco noticeboard

7. Action Plan • Developed using results of environmental review • Lists a number of agreed environmental objectives • Contains SMART targets • Explicitly illustrates cost implications, links to the curriculum and arrangements for monitoring and evaluating • Prioritises into short, medium and long term targets – no need to tackle all aspects at once! • Focus on a commitment to improve rather than environmental perfection • Pupils lead some action areas

8. Monitoring action and evaluating progress • Should be ongoing and built into entire process • Continuous monitoring maintains interest • Helps to plan any necessary changes to action plan and provides information to celebrate success • Range of possible methods to monitor and record • Pupil involvement is key • Eco committee reviews and evaluates progress and analyses data collected • Inform whole school community of progress and changes including displaying on Eco noticeboard

9. Linking to the curriculum • Eco-schools should not be regarded as an addition to existing work. • Links to the 3-18 curriculum and addresses cross-curricular issues such as enterprise, citizenship, health and well being and sustainable development education • Ideal vehicle for developing in pupils the 4 Capacities of A Curriculum for Excellence. • Links to all ages and stages

10. Involving the whole school and wider community • Link between home and school • Newsletters and articles in local press • Involvement of community organisations • Eco-School notice board and displays in local community • Enterprise and business links • Assemblies and special events • Album of activities is maintained • Eco Day/Week of action

11. The Eco Code • All members of the school community should contribute to the school’s Eco-Code • Eco committee draws up code relevant to action plan and based on pupil suggestions • Can take several forms – phrases, list, poem, song • Memorable and familiar for everyone, brightly illustrated • It should be prominently displayed on noticeboard, school website and in all classes • All pupils and staff should be familiar with it • Reviewed annually for relevancy

12. Eco-Schools Awards • Bronze award is self-assessed • Silver award is self-assessed • Green Flag - assessed by two external assessors and must be renewed every two years

13. Information and support Schools’ Environmental Projects Group (Contact details on North Ayrshire website) http://www.ers.north-ayrshire.gov.uk/ers/ersteachers/ers_teachers_eco_home.cfm North Ayrshire website www.ecoschoolsscotland.org National website