NEWS ON GRANTS - 50% Grants ending soon! Schools, hospitals and the non-profit sector are all eligible for a 50% grant on many renewable energy technologies.
The government scheme ends in June 2010 Click here for further details. Visit the NEW payback section to see how green energy saves both cash and carbon.Eco-Schools ProgrammeSchools wanting to help the environment can do so by joining The Eco-Schools programme. The Eco-Schools programme provides a simple framework to enable your school to analyse its operations and become more sustainable.
By following the programme, your school will become a more stimulating place in which to learn, whilst reducing the environmental impact of the whole school on the community.
The scheme is rooted in a genuine desire to help children become more effective citizens by encouraging them to take responsibility for the future of their own environment. It is not about environmental excellence, it is about your school starting to look at how it impacts upon the environment and how this is decided upon and can be managed.
Pupil involvement is a key part of the Eco-Schools programme. Having pupils engaged in the whole process, including monitoring, action planning and decision-making, leads to genuine ownership of the programme and an increase in their sense of responsibility for the school environment and local area.
Eco-Schools begins with registration. Once registered your school will be part of an international group of schools working towards education for sustainable development (ESD) and a better quality of life for local and (through joint action) global communities.
It is also an award scheme that will raise the profile of your school in the wider community.
There are three award levels:
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Bronze award - self-assessed via website leading to a certificate.
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Silver award - self-assessed via website leading to a certificate.
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Green Flag - externally assessed leading to a certificate and flag.
Effect on School Ethos.Eco-Schools is an umbrella project that your whole school can work towards. It provides an ideal focal point for work across different Year Groups. It helps to improve student/staff lines of communication and unites the whole school community behind a common cause.
As more improvements are made to the school, pupils and staff will be able to see the merits of being involved in the programme which will help to engender long-term support for the scheme.
By encouraging pupils to take responsibility for the environmental management of their school, they will develop an increased sense of responsibility for their surroundings.
Eco-Schools enhances and thrives within a caring school community where the views of others are valued and action is taken in response to these views. The school becomes a place to make positive changes and to make a difference.
Many schools following the programme have reported an improvement in the behaviour of pupils as they develop an increased sense of belonging and pride within the school. The linking to the curriculum has also been said to add purpose to the study, increasing the level of pupil engagement during lessons.
Improving the School environment.One of the benefits of taking part in Eco-Schools is the improvements that are made to the school environment, both inside the school buildings and within the school grounds.
Successful Eco-Schools can see some of the following enhancements:
Outside. • Less litter within the school grounds and in the surrounding area.
• More areas containing plants and wildlife.
• Improved play areas, including markings on hard surfaces for games or adventure play areas from recycled tyres.
• Quiet seating areas, e.g. under a tree.
• Improved aesthetic appearance of buildings and fences, e.g. sculptures using recycled materials.
• Outdoor classrooms formed with natural materials.
• Bicycle racks.
• Less traffic at either end of the day.
• Clean, well-used and maintained recycling facilities.
• Rainwater collection facilities (water butts)
Inside. • Clear, informative Eco-Schools noticeboard.
• Colourful and interesting displays around the school.
• Themed signage to encourage pupils to take small actions.
• Clean, tidy, cared for facilities.
• Unused lights switched off and doors closed.
• Sensor controlled lighting.
• Water saving devices in toilets.
• Draft excluders on doors.
• Networked computer system to reduce paper wastage.
• Environmentally friendly cleaning products.
• An atmosphere of responsibility and mutual respect amongst pupils and their peers and pupils and staff.
Potential financial savings. By making small changes to the environmental management of a school, you can benefit from considerable financial savings.
Cutting out draughts, closing doors and windows or switching off lights and electrical appliances when not in use will reduce the energy bills. These simple actions, which everyone can be involved in, all contribute to the Eco-Schools programme. Although there is little money to be made from recycling paper, your school can reduce its waste collection charges by reducing the waste going into its general bins.
A caretaker’s time spent picking up litter in the school grounds could be better spent on other tasks if your school manages to cut down on littering.
Whatever action you take to reduce your school’s environmental impact will probably result in some financial savings for the school. From switching off taps to saving water, from installing energy efficient light bulbs to making your own compost – it makes sense for your pocket and sense for the environment to cut down on wastage.
To join the scheme, simply log on to:
www.eco-schools.org.uk