Lancashire Healthy Schools seminar

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Lancashire Healthy Schools seminar
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Carl Thurston National Programmes Co-ordinator
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Eco Schools Award Schemein England Background

• Programme developed by FEEE 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 in 1995
• Nearly 4000 schools registered in England
• over 700 Bronze awards
• over 400 Silver awards
• nearly 500 Green Flags awards

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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
• Silver level Award
• Green Flag Award (assessors visit the school 1.5
  - 2 hour visit )

(Self assessment www.eco-schools.org.uk)
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The Process
Review/Audit
Action Plan
Eco-Code
Eco-Schools Committee
Monitoring Evaluation
Informing Involving
Curriculum Work
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Environmental Review/Audit Key Environmental
Areas

• Litter
• Waste Minimisation
• Energy
• Water
• Transport
• School Grounds / Biodiversity
• Healthy Living

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Eco-Schools / Healthy Schools

• The two programmes are closely linked and
  compliment each other
• Citizenship (the committee)
• Audit
• Linking to local and National initiatives (DfES
  ESD Action Plan)
• Personal Social and Health Education (through
  care and concern for the environment)
• Involving the whole school and the wider
  community
• Curriculum links
• Healthy Eating (as a topic)

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Further notes on the Action Plan

• The action plan
• The Eco Committee and school management decide on
  some action for the school based on the
  environmental review.
• The Action Plan is included in the school
  development plan
• Responsibility for taking forward action is
  agreed and children have responsibility for some
  of these actions

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Curriculum Linking

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

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

Eco Schools has not lead our curriculum, it has
enhanced our curriculum giving purpose to the
study. (Infant School, Preston)
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Informing and involving

• The school and the community
• Notice board outside school
• Notice board inside school
• School newsletter
• Messages to the community

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The Eco Code

• We will look after our school
• Only put fruit peel in the compost bin
• Recycle paper
• Litter goes in the bin
• Dont leave taps and lights on
• Primary School, Sefton

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Eco Schools - The Benefits

• Improve the school environment
• Reduce litter waste
• Generate wildlife habitat increase biodiversity
• Increase environmental awareness
• Reduce fuel water bills

• Improve links with the local community
• Gain business support generate local publicity
• Provide pupils with opportunities to take
  decisions on environmental issues for themselves
• Improve Europe/global links

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Comments from OFSTED

• By the end of KS1, childrens appreciation of
  environmental issues is well above average. This
  reflects the opportunities children have to
  participate in the Eco-Schools Project
• Participation in the Eco-Schools project is
  encouraging a sense of responsibility towards the
  environment and the community.
• The Schools participation in the Eco-Schools
  initiative has encouraged pupils interest in
  geographical topics.

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WHAT CHILDREN SAY

• It has made us turn off computers and lights in
  classrooms when we are not using them.
• We have done so much. Weve really made the
  school better
• We made bags of nesting materials to help the
  birds.
• I dont want to leave now but there is plenty
  for them to do next year
• We try to walk to school.
• It really matters. I make my mum and dad recycle
  now
• We pick up litter in the school grounds.

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Eco Schools - Operating staff

• Eco Schools Coordinator - Carl Thurston
• National remit for England
• Strategic development of programme in England
• Assessment visits to schools, assessor training
• Operates at Local Authority level to provide
  advice/support/training
• Meets termly with other UK Officers and annually
  with European Officers
• Eco Schools Information Officer - Diane Cliff
• Provides admin support, information provision to
  school
• Co-ordinates Assessments for schools in England

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Eco Schools Some Useful Web Sites

• www.eco-schools.org.uk
• www.encams.org.uk
• www.eco-schools.org
• carl.thurston_at_encams.org