Eco-Schools

Eco-Schools is the largest sustainable schools programme in the world, operating in over 40 countries. Almost 40,000 schools take part globally and over 50% of all English schools now take part. The programme is delivered in England by the charity Keep Britain Tidy.

Eco-Schools provides a framework which helps schools to recognise good environmental practice and identify areas they need to improve on. Once identified the school creates an action plan which sets out how they will make those improvements.

Crucially the programme is led by children and supports many areas of the curriculum, helping to make learning, both inside and outside the classroom, fun and engaging. Measuring and monitoring is also an integral part of the Eco-Schools programme, providing you with all the evidence you need to showcase your environmental success.

Eco-Schools delivers the Government's Sustainable Schools Strategy accrediting schools as they progress. Schools can receive a Bronze Award, Silver Award and ultimately the Green Flag, which is endorsed worldwide by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) as an international symbol of excellence.

Eco-Schools and the Pod

The Pod have teamed up with Eco-Schools England to help schools progress along their sustainable journey. All of the activities developed on the Pod have been written to compliment the Eco-Schools programme and the award criteria in England.

Schools in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales are using the Pod too, and could find it helps them with their application for Eco-Schools awards in their own countries in a similar way to schools in England. However, there is no direct link between the Pod and the Eco-Schools programmes in those countries at this time.

How can the Pod help with the Eco-Schools programme?

Each Pod activity details how it meets the Eco-Schools award criteria and also outlines any additional steps which may be needed to achieve the award.

For example, by completing the 'Goodbye Standby' activity on the Pod, schools will automatically have completed most if not all of the steps needed to achieve a Bronze or Silver Award with Eco-Schools in England.

By working together the Pod and Eco-Schools hope to encourage, support and guide even more schools to become sustainable, save money, reduce carbon emissions and engage children in the fight against climate change.

The Eco-Schools award guide highlights how Pod activities and campaigns such as Switch-Off Fortnight and Green Britain Day can help with achieving Eco-Schools awards in England. There is guidance for each of the seven steps of the Eco-Schools framework, including creating an action plan, involving the local and wider community and linking sustainability to the curriculum.

Download the Eco-Schools award guide now for more details.

To learn more about Eco-Schools visit www.eco-schools.org.uk