Eco-Schools in Edinburgh

Throughout this page, and attachments, there are many links to the Scottish Eco-Schools website, as well as other websites from organisations in and around the city. This site will avoid duplication of information, where possible, and will instead provide direct links to the source of information.  If you would like to link any relevant information to these pages contact ecoschoolsinedinburgh@edinburgh.gov.uk

Progress Update – August 2008

A further ten schools gained their First Green Flag award, in Edinburgh, during the 2007/08 academic year. This now brings the total number of Green Flag awarded schools in the city to 29.  A fantastic achievement for everyone involved!  Names of all Green Flag awarded schools can be seen on the Scottish Eco-Schools website.  Furthermore, 125 schools in Edinburgh have achieved a bronze award and 84 a silver award meaning that an amazing 71% of all schools registered on the programme in the city have at least one award.  

Current Opportunities / Information - August 2008

• Green Pencil Awards.  The Libraries Team and Eco-Schools in Edinburgh have launched an exciting new creative writing competition for primary schools in the city.  Read more about the Green Pencil Awards on the attached document.
• Christian Aid and Stop Climate Chaos Scotland have teamed up with Hand Up Media to develop a film-maiking project for young people, at secondary school age, seeking to investigate and promote solutions to climate change and poverty.  More information is available through Hand up Media or contact WYoung@christian-aid.org  Schools must register by the end of August and story boards must be sumbitted by Friday 31 October 2008.
• The Parks and Greenspace Team would like to know what you think about your local park or greenspace in Edinburgh. Is it a wildlife haven or a waste ground? Do you love it or loathe it? Is it litter-strewn or is it litter free? Complete the survey to have your say.
• There are several Environmental and Health CPD's available to teachers and support staff in Edinburgh throughout the school year.

Background

The Eco-Schools programme is more than an environmental management system for schools. It offers a structured, curricular linked and fun way of looking at and investigating the environment and the effects that our actions have on it.  The attached document contains more information on the Eco-Schools programme.

Core topics covered are biodiversity, energy, health and well-being, litter, school grounds, sustaining our world (topic will be introduced Autumn 2008), transport, waste minimisation and water.  Clicking on the links over each topic will give you information on local support for each programme and also links to other programmes.  Visit the Eco-Schools Scotland pages for all core information on the nine topics, as well as information on the seven structural areas of Eco-Schools.

Support for Eco-Schools in Edinburgh is free for all local authority, independent and partner provider schools and nurseries in Edinburgh. As well as information provision via phone or e-mail, the Eco-Schools Coordinator organises a programme of varied teacher training events through the school year. The coordinator is also available for in-house training, Eco Committee meetings, and one to one progress meetings in schools.