The Eco Schools Initiative in Scotland

1
The Eco Schools Initiative in Scotland

• 25 February 2005 Perth
• Education for Citizenship Conference
• Kate Campbell Eco Schools Manager Scotland

2
Eco Schools Award Schemein Scotland Background

• Programme developed by FEE in 1994 - Earth Summit
  in Rio, 1992
• Need to involve young people in finding solutions
  to environmental sustainable development
  challenges - LA 21

• Introduced into UK Scotland in 1995
• Programme funded by Scottish Executive
• 1680 Scottish Schools currently registered (53
  of total)
• Currently 130 Green Flag Award Schools in Scotland

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Eco Schools Award Scheme - the Global Dimension

• 27 European Countries involved in the programme,
  3 in Africa New Zealand
• Interest by United Nations (UNEP)
• New Projects
• Eco Schools Linking Itinerary Project -
  developing international links
• Biodiversity Global Citizenship

4
SEED National Priorities in Education

• Five National Priorities
• National Priority 4 Values Citizenship
• Eco-Schools has been selected by SEED as a
  performance measure for this National Priority
• Education Authorities must report on
• the number/percentage of primary secondary
  schools within their area that are participating
  in the Eco Schools Award or similar accredited
  award.

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What is the Eco Schools Programme?

• The main aim of the programme is to make
  environmental awareness and action an intrinsic
  part of the life and ethos of the school
• It encourages whole-school action for the
  environment
• It is a recognised Award Scheme, rewarding
  accrediting schools committed to improving their
  environmental performance
• It is a Learning Resource, raising awareness of
  sustainable development citizenship issues
  through active involvement

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The Four Stages of the Award Scheme

• Stage 1 - Registration
• Stage 2 - Implementing the Eco- Schools
  Programme
• Stage 3 - Applying for the Award
• Stage 4 - Award Renewal (every 2 years)

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Award Levels

• Bronze level Award (250 grant)
• Silver level Award
• (Self assessment - can be applied for through
  the Eco-Schools website
• www.eco-schools.org.uk)
• Green Flag Award (assessors visit the school 2
  hour visit )

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Review/Audit
Action Plan
Eco-Code
Eco-Schools Committee
Monitoring Evaluation
Informing Involving
Curriculum Work
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An Example Primary School Eco-Committee

• Head Teacher a Class Teacher
• Three children from Primary 1 2
• Five children from Primary 3 to 7
• Janitor
• A Non Teaching Assistant
• Three parents
• Someone from the local authority

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Environmental Review/Audit Key Environmental
Areas

• Litter
• Waste Minimisation (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle)
• Energy
• Water
• Transport
• School Grounds/Biodiversity
• Health well-being

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The Action Plan

• A plan of action developed from the results of
  the environmental review/audit
• A time-tabled series of targets, with clear
  deadlines and clearly allocated responsibilities

• Actions should be linked to the curriculum
• Targets need to be realistic achievable
• Try not to be over ambitious - prioritise!
• Monitor, so progress can be measured

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Monitoring Evaluation

• Essential to keep it ongoing - every action plan
  point may not go well be prepared to review
  make changes
• Children should be involved - in both monitoring
  evaluating, where possible

• Gives credibility - emphasis on progress
• Allows for differentiated tasks for children and
  staff, etc
• Keeps enthusiasm motivation for project going

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Curriculum Linking

• Real opportunities to address cross-curricular
  issues
• Citizenship
• Sustainable Development
• Health Education
• Personal Social Education
• International Education
• Enterprise Education

• ..and more formal curricular areas
• Science
• Geography History
• Modern Studies
• RME
• Maths ICT
• PE, Drama
• English Modern Languages
• Art Design Craft, Design Technology
• Home Economics

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Eco School Links to How Good Is Our School II?

• Main HGIOS (QI links)
• Learning Teaching
• 3.3 - Pupils Learning Experience
• Support for Pupils
• 4.2 - Personal Social Development
• 4.8 - Links with LA or other managing body, other
  schools, agencies employers

• Ethos
• 5.1 - Climate Relationships
• 5.2 - Expectations Promoting Achievement
• 5.3 - Equality Fairness
• 5.4 - Partnership with Parents, School Board
  Community
• Resources
• 6.3 - Organisation Use of Resources Space

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Informing Involving

• Eco Schools Notice Board
• Newsletter to parents/community
• Circle Time
• Questionnaires to parents/community
• Exhibitions
• Local press, TV radio
• Whole-school Day of Action, Low Energy Use
  Days, Eco Fetes, Festivals, Environmental Drama,
  Healthy Living Day

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An Example Eco Code(Dunino Primary School, Fife
- 2004)

• Remember the three Rs, reduce, reuse and
  recycle.
• Litter - find a bin to put it in!
• Waste not, want not!
• If its not like night, put out that light.
• A full page is a cool page!

• Still on and not in use, thats energy abuse!
• If we use recycling bins, we can be sure the
  whole world wins!
• Dont use the car if its not farjust use a bike
  or take a hike!
• Look after the world for the future!

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Eco Schools - The Benefits

• Helps to improve the school environment
• Reduces litter waste
• Generates wildlife habitat increases
  biodiversity
• Increases environmental awareness
• Reduces fuel water bills

• Improves links with the local community
• Can gain business support generate local
  publicity
• Provides children with opportunities to take
  decisions on environmental issues for themselves
• Improves global links

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Eco Schools Scotland Resources

• Staff
• Eco Schools Manager - Kate Campbell
• Eco Schools Information Officer - Jamie Pearson
• Eco Schools Administrative Officer -Rhonda Platt
• Materials
• Handbook (new Scottish Handbook launched Oct
  2003)
• Scottish Video (launched Sept 2002)
• Newsletter (Scottish newsletter launched Autumn
  2003)
• Web site (new Scottish site to be launched spring
  2005)

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Eco Schools Scotland Statistics I

• Total of 3,200 Schools in Scotland (state
  private)
• 210 (6.5) Scottish Schools registered
  April, 2002
• 1737 (54.5) Scottish Schools registered
  24 February, 2005

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Eco Schools Scotland Statistics II

• 487 Schools have Bronze Awards
• 209 Schools have Silver Awards
• 130 Schools have achieved Green Flag status
• 24 Schools have achieved a 2nd Award
• 9 Schools have achieved a 3rd Award
• 5 Schools have achieved a 4th (permanent) Award

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Eco Schools Scotland Your LA area Who Can
Help You?

• Local Authority support
• Education Adviser - citizenship/enterprise
• Waste Education Officer/Litter Education Officer
• School Travel Plan Co-ordinator
• Health/Active Schools Co-ordinator
• Energy Advisers
• Other Support
• Local Countryside Ranger Services
• Organisations NGOs, such as SNH, BTCV, SWT,
  RSPB, NTS, Grounds for Learning (locally based
  offices)
• Local Energy Advice Centre
• Local Health Board/Health Promoting Schools
  Initiative - health promotion officers

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Eco Schools Some Useful Web Sites

• www.eco-schools.org.uk
• www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org
• www.eco-schools.org
• www.koee.org/eco-schools

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THANK YOU!For more information about Eco
Schools in Scotland contact

• Kate CampbellEco Schools Manager01786
  468232kate.campbell_at_ksbscotland.org.uk
• www.eco-schools.org.uk