We have recently been awarded our Green Flag, and are currently investigating ways to fly it safely. Ideally, we would like to fly it outside, but are concerned about local children (not our own, but local kids who hang around the school in the evenings) attempting to climb any flag pole we erect. Visions of broken bones and worse spring to mind!

Has anyone here had experience of this, has it been a problem, were you able to overcome the problem and how? Also, have you needed planning permission/building warrant? Who has actually erected the flag pole for you?

How do most schools display their flags? I know some are just attaching it to an inside wall, perhaps in the entrance. Seems a shame to not display it the way it's intended, but the difficulties currently seem to outweigh the benefits.

Sorry for so many questions, and for sounding a bit negative - we don't mean to, but rather, don't want to end up liable for someone else's injury.

Many thanks for your time reading, and for any responses.

Hi there.

I know in this 'risk aware' climate we all worry about kids hurting themselves doing crazy things.

All I can say is that there are literally hundreds of flagpoles all over the country (not just the hundreds flying Green Flags!) and I've never heard of any incident. Look at all the building sites with flagpoles! However that's not to say it's never happened, but there are easier things to climb than flagpoles.

You can buy anti-climb paint which can be applied some distance off the ground to deter determined youngsters.

Talking of building sites - if there is one near you see if you can persuade the builders to donate their flagpole to you - they might even 'plant'it for you! It's good publicity for them and a good busines link for the school.

As for planning permission - this varies from authority to authority and you just have to ask. Some authorities celebrate Green Flag success by donating a flagpole to awarded schools, others take the cotton-wool approach! If you are a PPP school then you also need to get the permission of the owners.

You can also buy wall-mounted flagpoles if you wish.

Hope this helps. Check out http://ecoschoolsscotland.org/documents/FlagPoles.pdf
for names of flagpole suppliers.

Hi Paul and thanks for your prompt reply!

It's now our October break, so we will discuss this at school on our return in 2 weeks!

Many thanks

Judi

Just as an update, it has been decided that our green flag is to be displayed inside our nursery. The issues around the flagpole are felt to be too great, therefore, our flag will be displayed in the most prominent area inside. Thanks for your comments.