Eco Schools

Eco-Schools is an international scheme that helps schools to make environmental improvement a key part of school life.

Stoke-on-Trent is promoting Eco-Schools and supporting those who are working towards the award. We hope to make it easier for schools to undertake environmental projects by providing an initial contact for environmental advice and information.

The Eco-Schools scheme focuses on nine themes:

• biodiversity;
• energy;
• global perspectives;
• healthy living;
• litter;
• school grounds;
• transport;
• waste minimisation; and
• water;

and is designed to make schools more sustainable. By following the programme, schools will become a more stimulating place in which to learn, whilst reducing the environmental impact of the whole school on the community. It also links in well with Every Child Matters, Healthy Schools and School Travel Plans and has been beneficial to schools during Ofsted inspections.

Eco-Schools offers a well defined, controllable way for environmental issues to be taken from the curriculum and applied to the day to day running of a school. Student involvement is a key part of the scheme. Being engaged in the whole process, including monitoring, action planning and decision-making, leads to genuine ownership of the programme and students respond with greater enthusiasm and commitment. Young people take the environmental lessons learnt at school back home ensuring the message spreads to their parents and the wider community.

The Eco-Schools programme leads to the prestigious international environmental award - the Green Flag. It shows that a school is committed to the highest standards in environmental education and management - something to celebrate and be proud of.

How we can help

We can: 

• Provide advice and guidance on setting up the Eco-Schools-programme.

• Provide information to schools on appropriate environmental contacts.

For more information about Eco-Schools contact Corporate Communications on 01782 236937 or email communications@stoke.gov.uk.