Transcript Eco- Schools - North Ayrshire

Eco – Schools Scotland
What is the Eco-Schools programme?
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International initiative
Encourages whole-school action for the
environment
Learning resource
Environmental management tool
Recognised award scheme
The 9 Eco-Schools topics
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Litter
Waste minimisation
Energy
Water
Transport
Health and Well Being
School grounds
Biodiversity
Sustaining Our World
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
Eco Committee
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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
Environmental review
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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
Action Plan
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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
Monitoring action and evaluating progress
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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
Linking to the curriculum
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Eco-schools should not be regarded as an addition
to existing work.
Links to the 3-18 curriculum and addresses crosscurricular 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
Involving the whole school and wider community
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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
The Eco Code
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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
Eco-Schools Awards
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Bronze award is self-assessed
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Silver award is self-assessed
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Green Flag - assessed by two external assessors
and must be renewed every two years
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