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Litter
Waste
Energy
Water
Health
Transport
Biodiversity
School Grounds
Global citizenship
Food and the Environment
Contents
Introduction
The Seven Elements
The Ten Topics
Eco-Schools and the Secondary Sector
Eco-Schools and the Journey to Excellence
Appendices
Seven Elements:
1. Environmental Review
Checklist
2. Action Plan
3. Schools’ Global Footprint
4. Curriculum Links
5. Applying for
an Award
6. Award Criteria Checklist
Acronyms
Acknowledgements

Criteria for Green Flag Award status

The Eco Committee
Bullet Pupils put themselves forward, and are selected by their peers to be part of the Eco Committee.
Bullet Pupils are given the opportunity to nominate some adult members on to the Committee for specific tasks.
Bullet The Committee sometimes co-opts adult members on to the committee for specific tasks.
Bullet The committee meets at least once every half-term.
Bullet Minutes are kept of meetings showing how decisions have been made, and pupils share the minute-taking responsibility with adults.
Bullet Minutes are displayed on an Eco-Schools notice board.
Bullet Reports of Committee meetings are presented at school board/Parent Council meetings.
Bullet Pupil members of the Committee are responsible for taking ideas from the rest of the pupils and reporting back result of Committee meetings to all the classes or forms in the school.

The Environmental Review

Bullet Pupils and adults on the Eco Committee plan and carry out an Environmental Review of the School in consultation with some non-Committee members.
Bullet A review document is used that covers all areas of environmental impact.
Bullet The results of the Review are collated into one document for display on the Eco-Schools notice board and web site (if the school has one).
Bullet Pupil members of the Committee collect suggestions for action from school classes or tutor group.
Bullet An Environmental Review is undertaken once a year to evaluate overall progress.

Action Plan
Bullet The Action Plan is included in the school development or improvement plan.
Bullet Pupils on the Eco Committee take responsibility for leading some action areas.
Bullet The Action Plan prioritises targets.
Bullet The Action Plan shows cost implications and includes how activity will be monitored and evaluated.
Bullet The Action Plan is displayed on the school’s Eco Notice Board in a clear, pupil-friendly format.

Monitoring action and evaluating progress
Bullet The Eco Committee ensures that evaluation of action is ongoing, appropriate to the activity monitored and that some of it is carried out by pupils.
Bullet The whole school is aware of progress of environmental action, and is given the opportunity to evaluate its effect through discussion and debate.
Bullet The Eco Committee meets to review progress and analyse the data collected.
Bullet They build on successes and decide on remedial action when activities are not proving successful.
Bullet Some monitoring data is used for curriculum work.

Linking to the curriculum
Bullet The school has a named individual responsible for environmental education/sustainable development education.
Bullet The school has a curriculum plan integrating a range of environmental issues into the curriculum across some year groups or classes in a range of subjects.
Bullet Aspects of Eco-Schools activities are integrated into a range of subjects across the curriculum for the majority of classes or year groups.
Bullet Issues surrounding sustainable development are explored through curriculum activities in many year groups.

Involving the whole school and wider community

Bullet Eco-Schools activities are displayed on a notice board inside/outside the school.
Bullet Displays of Eco-Schools Activities are put up for the local community for example in the library, local shop, church or community hall.
Bullet Eco-Schools activities are integral to the school and the whole school engages in an annual Day of Action (or similar activities).
Bullet The wider community is involved in the activities going on in the school; for example local council officers and members of local businesses, or environmental organisations.
Bullet The school has approached the local press to cover its Eco-Schools activities.
Bullet Details of the school’s Eco-Schools activities are put on the School’s web site (if the school has one).

The Eco Code
Bullet The whole school is given the opportunity to make suggestions for what they believe should be included in the Eco Code.
Bullet The Eco Committee draws up a code from suggestions collected and presents it to the school for approval.
Bullet The Eco Code is displayed on the Eco-Schools notice board and in all classrooms.  It is also displayed on any outside notice board and the school’s web site (if the school has one).
Bullet The Eco Code is reviewed by the whole school every year to make sure it remains relevant.