Eco Schools in Shropshire

and Telford & Wrekin

School Information Pack

What is Eco Schools?

Eco Schools is much more than an environmental management system for schools. It is a programme for promoting environmental awareness in a way that links to many curriculum subjects, including citizenship, personal, social and health education (PSHE) and education for sustainable development. It is also an award scheme that will raise the profile of your school in the wider community.
The Eco Schools process is holistic. It works by involving the whole school (pupils, teachers, non-teaching staff and governors) together with members of the local community (parents, the local authority, the media and local businesses). It will encourage teamwork and help to create a shared understanding of what it takes to run a school in a way that respects and enhances the environment.
Eco Schools offers your school:

  • an opportunity to make environmental issues a part of the life of the school
  • an opportunity to help develop young people's decision-making skills
  • curriculum materials and ideas for projects and events
  • access to a network of support agencies
  • links with other schools in the UK and Europe
  • a prestigious award
  • opportunities for local and national publicity
  • potential for financial savings.

It requires:

  • the support of the headteacher and governors
  • a willingness to involve pupils in decision-making and action at every stage
  • active involvement of staff and the wider school community
  • a willingness to take action to instigate long-term change.

What are the benefits of becoming an EcoSchool?

  • Increased environmental awareness amongst pupils and staff
  • An improved school environment and a reduction in the amount of litter and waste
  • Numerous curriculum links with many subjects
  • Financial savings gleaned from reduced water, energy and disposal bills
  • Empowerment of pupils through active citizenship
  • Considerable opportunities to develop and strengthen community links
  • Opportunities for local and national publicity
  • Considerable favourable recognition of the scheme by the local authority and by school inspectors

What does Eco Schools involve?

Any Environmental management system needs a structure to help it run smoothly. The Eco Schools scheme has seven elements, shown in the diagram below:

The pivotal part of the Eco Schools a scheme is the Eco Committee. The committee works in a similar way to a school council and is made up of pupils and teachers and other interested people, for example the sustainability governor, parents, non-teaching staff and people from the local community.

The first job of the committee is to conduct a simple environmental review of the school, to find out which areas of the school’s environment are working efficiently and which areas need some attention.

From the review an action plan is formed, which gives a time scale for all the environmental action to be undertaken.

Any actions implemented are carefully monitored and assessed to make sure they are successfully solving the problems that they set out to do.

Throughout the process schools are encouraged to link their Eco Schools work to curriculum work. There are numerous opportunities for this, mainly in PSHE, Citizenship, Geography, Science, Literacy and Numeracy.

Schools are also encouraged to involve the whole school and wider community with the project. This can be done through assemblies, whole school action days and involving outside people and organisations (for example environmental groups such as the Shropshire Wildlife Trust and district and county council officers).

Finally, the school is asked to develop an Eco-Code. This is a mission statement, which demonstrates the school’s continued commitment to improving its environmental performance.

The EcoSchool Topics

Eco Schools can work on any environmental projects within the areas of:

  1. Litter
  1. Waste Minimisation
  1. Energy
  1. Water
  1. Transport
  1. Healthy Living (Schools for Health)
  1. School Grounds

The Eco Schools handbook contains support and guidance for schools on each of these topics

Who can help us achieve the award?

Officers from the County Council (Shropshire) and Unitary Authority (Telford & Wrekin)

In each authority, officers working in specific environmental fields such as waste minimisation, energy efficiency, transport and schools for health can provide specific guidance and support.

Schools should contact Steve Rogers, Adviser for Geography and Environmental Education in the first instance

Telephone: 01743 254564

Email:

Secret Hills Discovery Centre, Craven Arms

The Education Officer has extensive research and practical experience of Eco Schools

Contact Laura Harvey, Education Officer

Telephone: 01588 676000

Officers from District Councils (Shropshire Schools only)

Shropshire is made up of 5 District Council areas. Each District Council will vary, but they will be able to assist with projects as diverse as energy and water conservation to recycling and waste. Contact your District Council Office.

Environmental Groups and Charities

Local organisations can often provide invaluable support and guidance. One of the most active groups in Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin is the Shropshire Wildlife Trust.

Contact Janet Keeble, Education Officer, Shropshire Wildlife Trust on 01743 284280

What do we do next?

Look at the Eco Schools web site

Register as an EcoSchool either on-line through the web site or by contacting ENCAMS at the following address:

ENCAMS

Elizabeth House

The Pier

Wigan

WN3 4EX

Telephone: 01942 612673

Email:

Steve Rogers

Adviser for Geography and Environmental Education

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