The Eco-Schools programme is a global system for integrating sustainable development and environmental improvements across a wide range of activities normally undertaken by a school.
The programme must involve all the children in the school, as well as teaching and non-teaching staff, the governing body and parents. Ultimately, the aim is for the principles that underlie eco-schools to become the normal way of life for the whole school.
Pupils take key roles in decision-making and participation in order to reduce the environmental impact of the school. In this way, Eco-Schools extends learning beyond the classroom and develops responsible citizenship attitudes both at home and in the wider community.
The Eco-Schools programme is flexible enough to allow schools to decide their own priorities and targets and so enables them to progress through the programme at a rate that they are comfortable with.
There are no time limits imposed on the school by the scheme. The range of environmental issues covered by the scheme includes:
- energy efficiency
- water use
- school grounds
- litter
- healthy lifestyles
- transport
- waste minimisation
The Eco-Schools awards
There are 3 different awards available to Eco-Schools. Schools that demonstrate a commitment to improving their environmental performance can be eligible for a prestigious Eco-Schools award.
For further information on Eco-Schools please visit Keep Wales Tidy.