EcoSchools
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Eco-Schools
Eco Schools
The Eco-Schools programme provides a simple framework to enable your schools to analyse its operations and become more sustainable.
By following the programme your school will become a stimulating place in which to learn, whilst reducing the environmental impact of the whole school on the local community. The programme is also an excellent way of taking the lessons learnt in the classroom and applying them to the day to day running of your school.
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.
The Eco-Schools programme is also an award scheme which can help to raise the profile of your school. There are three levels of awards:
Bronze Award - self assessment via the Eco-Schools website leading to certificate
Silver Award - self assessment via the Eco-Schools website leading to certification
Green Flag - externally assessed leading to a certificate and a Green Flag
Schools in Charnwood which are interested in working on the Eco-Schools programme can obtain support for their work from Groundwork, Leicester and Leicestershire (formerly Environ). Groundwork can provide information on what the programme involves and provide assistance and support throughout the process. They will also support your school through the application process for Green Flag status.
The work of Groundwork in Charnwood is funded by Charnwood Borough Council and Leicestershire County Council. If your school in interested in being involved in the Eco-Schools process please contact The Sustainable Development Officer at Charnwood Borough Council (01509) 634944. Further details of the Eco-Schools programme can be found on the Eco-Schools website.
Fairtrade Schools
The concept of fair trade fits beautifully into the key curriculum areas of Citizenship, Geography and Religious Studies, and allows students to learn about fairness, social justice and diversity. Why not Make Fairtrade foods available to staff and students, present an assembly or lesson on Fairtrade or set up a Fairtrade tuck shop selling Fairtrade chocolate, bananas and snack bars
Did you know?
- On average, one in seven children suffers from asthma, compared to one in three in inner city area
- In slow moving traffic, pollution levels are higher inside cars than outside
- Cycling or walking briskly for half an hour a day can halve the risk of heart disease
Every year there seems to be more traffic on the roads, making simple journeys longer and more stressful, particularly in cities. The figures bear this out - government research shows that not only are we buying far more cars than we used to; we are also using them more.
Our growing use of cars has caused a variety of environmental, social and health impacts. Some are highly visible and directly relevant to everyday life: accident statistics show that our roads are still dangerous, while traffic congestion has adverse effects on our health and well-being. Other impacts are less immediately obvious but no less important. For example, the gases and chemicals released by engines make a large contribution to global warming and air pollution.
The transport issue directly affects schools and pupils: the length of the School run, road safety and health are all affected by the modes of transport we choose. School Travel Plans also link to and help you meet the criteria set for the Healthy Schools Standard.