Awards
There are a number of well established awards programmes that recognise the schools’ achievements in the field of sustainability.
Eco-Schools
“Eco-Schools is an international award programme that guides schools on their sustainability journey, providing a framework to help embed these principles into the heart of school life.”
Run by the Foundation for Environmental Education, it is free to join the programme. Eco-Schools has created a seven step process to assist schools tackle a range of issues from litter and waste to healthy living and biodiversity. Pupils are at the heart of the Eco-Schools programme, from involvement in auditing the school’s environmental performance to establishing the priorities and actions to be taken, to monitoring and measuring the impact of these strategies.
There are three awards to work toward, Bronze, Silver and the Green Flag award. The Bronze and Silver stages are self accredited through the Eco-Schools website. The Green Flag is externally assessed by Keep Britain Tidy.
Ashden Awards
The prestigious Ashden Awards are given each year to reward local sustainable energy projects undertaken in the UK and internationally, with the purpose of encouraging the development of sustainable energy solutions which reduce carbon emissions and improve quality of life.
The database of previous winners (www.ashdenawards.org/winners) gives an insight into the range of sustainable energy projects undertaken by schools in the UK and overseas.
Previous winners include: Ashley Church of England Primary School (award winner of the 2009 Ashden Schools Award) and Ringmer College (award winner of the 2008 Ashden Schools Award).