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SBC > LA21 > Initiatives > Youth & Education |
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Eco-Schools
In Stafford Borough
Other Eco-Schools Pages
What is Eco-Schools?
The Eco-Schools programme is an international project run by the environmental charity Encams. The project aims to encourage a whole school approach to tackling environmental issues. An Eco-School begins by forming a committee of pupils, teachers, staff and anyone else concerned with the school that wants to join in. The committee then arrange a review of the school's environmental performance, usually conducted by pupils as part of their curriculum work. The results of the review provide the basis for a plan of action for improvement. This may sound a like a huge task, but these actions can be anything from setting up a recycling scheme or a kids Eco-Club to making a wildlife area, pond or vegetable patch in the school grounds.
The scheme is not about creating the 'greenest' school on Earth, but is about a commitment from the whole school community towards positive changes at a pace that the school can handle. This allows the scheme to be flexible enough to suit any school without being a burden to the school's time or resources.
Schools' achievements are recognised through the Eco-Schools award scheme. The awards range from bronze through silver to the prestigious Green Flag.
Benefits of Eco-Schools
'I like being an Eco-School because I like looking after our environment.'
Pupil Year 5
'I like that nothing in our school ever gets wasted, especially on litter free lunch day!'
Eco-Committee, Members Year 6
'Eco-Schools gives the children a voice and a sense of ownership.'
Eco-Schools Co-Ordinator, Mrs. Heath
The key aim of the Eco-Schools programme is to allow the current generation an understanding of the effects that their actions will have on the wider world around them. This is most effective when the children can see their ideas being put into practice and making a difference to the school and the environment. Of course there are many more benefits for the school and its wider community, some of which are listed below:
· Favourable recognition of the scheme by school inspectors.
· Financial savings from reduced water, fuel and waste disposal bills.
· Numerous curriculum links across a range of subjects.
· Increased environmental awareness amongst pupils and staff.
· Promotion of healthy lifestyles.
· An improved school environment and a reduction in the amount of litter.
· Opportunities for local and national publicity.
Eco-Schools Support in Stafford Borough
The Eco-Schools Network in Stafford Borough is supported by Stafford Borough Council's Local Agenda 21 Team. In October 2002 a post was formed within the team to support various sustainability projects including the Eco-Schools Network. This post was externally funded for two years by the Social Economic and Environmental Development (SEED) Programme. Subsequently support for the Network has continued through the LA21 team.
The support offered by LA21 involves connecting schools with the resources they need, helping the Eco-Schools support each other through the Eco-Schools Network and assisting each of them towards achieving their Green Flag award. We also promote the scheme with schools that have not already registered with Eco-Schools. This support means that Eco-Schools have ready access to advice and ideas, and should find it easier to gain an award. It is often the case that schools already fulfil many of the requirements for an Eco-Schools award, so it is merely a case of a little organisation, and recognising what they have already done.
If you would like your school to get involved with Eco-Schools then please contact the Local Agenda 21 team for more information.
Link: Contact us
Stafford Borough Eco Schools Network
Eco-Schools has a long history in Stafford Borough with Silkmore Primary the first to gain an Award in the Early 1990's. Today the Borough has more than twenty Eco‑Schools, a figure that looks set to continue to rise, and more than 35 in the Eco-Schools Network.
The Stafford Borough Eco-Schools support network is made up of teachers or staff from each of the Borough's Eco-Schools as well as some from schools working towards Eco-Schools status and representatives from a number of other organisations such as Staffordshire Wildlife Trust and Staffordshire County Council's Sustainable Travel programme. The main aim of the group is to share ideas, experiences and good practice, and to provide as much access to the relevant resources available to schools as is possible. The group meets on a termly basis to discuss progress and to resolve any issues faced by the schools in general. A Newsletter (Link: Eco-Watch) is also produced to keep everyone up to date with the latest Eco-Schools developments and achievements. What's more the Network has an annual event for all the Borough's schools with fun activities for the children (Link: Eco-Activity Day).