Eco-Schools

Schools in Central Bedfordshire are encouraged to sign up to Eco-Schools, the global schools' awards scheme that recognises pupil-led environmental action in schools.

We support schools in Central Bedfordshire through this programme with online forums, one-to-one meetings, school visits and localised resources.

Sign your school up

Information for primary schools from the Eco-Schools website

Information for secondary schools and Colleges from the Eco-Schools website

Information about the ten Eco-Schools topics

FAQs from the Eco-Schools website

How we can help

As part of our Sustainability Plan, we can support any Central Bedfordshire schools through the Eco-Schools programme.

Email begreen@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk for more information on how we can support your school.

Find your nearest eco-school

A key component of our Sustainability Plan is a commitment to positively influence our communities and businesses to become more sustainable. In our education settings, we continue to engage and support schools through the Eco-Schools programme to become sustainable promoting all elements of sustainability.

We would like to extend a huge congratulations to all settings who have achieved a Green Flag award through this programme.

BeGreen Box

Book a free BeGreen Box! We are excited to invite local schools, community groups and residents to use the boxes to explore ways to become greener. Schools can use the box to support their Eco-Schools Green Flag Award application. The boxes include a functioning renewable energy model, a tree science monitor, a solar-powered water fountain, a range of eco-books, and assorted classic games with an environmental twist including snakes and ladders, bingo, and top trumps. The 3 boxes are available to book for 1 week at a time. The boxes are stored at Houghton Regis Library, Flitwick Library, and Shefford Library.

Book a BeGreen Box

Please note that these boxes can only be used within Central Bedfordshire.

For more information, please email begreen@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk.

Eco-Schools topic guides

10 topic guides with one for each of the Eco-Schools topics.

Guides include ideas, case studies from local schools, information about the Green Flag questions, curriculum links, book recommendations and additional resources.

Please email begreen@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk to request your free copies.

Why join Eco-Schools?

Eco-Schools:

• is a well-established programme that has existed for over 27 years
• recognises and rewards schools at an international level
• is a good starting point for introducing environmental action in schools
• can save your school money by reducing electricity and gas bills
• is flexible to any school setting
• helps improve your school’s reputation in the local community
• combats eco-anxiety by providing a focus on environmental action
• develops transferable life skills in young people
• empowers young people

What is Eco-Schools?

Eco-Schools is a simple seven-step framework that is designed to be led by students to deliver environmental action in their schools. Schools progress through the seven steps in one academic year to achieve a Green Flag award which is renewed every year. Applications are entirely online. The application window is open from 1 May until 31 July every year.

The 7 steps

Step 1: Eco committee

A group of young people and adults, who are responsible for all things Eco-Schools!

Step 2: Environmental review

Helps to find out what your school is doing well and what could be improved.

Step 3: Action plan

The eco-committee chooses 3 out of 10 topics to focus on.

Step 4: Curriculum links

Teachers integrate eco-issues into lessons. We can provide ideas of curriculum links for the specific topics you choose.

Step 5: Informing and involving

Details of what the school is doing is publicised to the wider school community. The opportunity for the whole school to be involved in some way (e.g. whole-school litter picks).

Step 6: Monitoring and evaluation

Measuring progress towards the goals of the Action Plan and making changes if certain things aren’t working. Good way to link to the curriculum of Maths.

Step 7: Eco-code

A whole school promise to keep protecting our planet.

Climate Ambassador programme

We're pleased to be a regional partner and supporter of the Climate Ambassador programme in the East of England, funded by the Department for Education.

Together, we're helping education settings access local expertise and practical support for climate action planning, sustainability, biodiversity, adaptation and environmental education.

The National Education Nature Park

The National Education Nature Park is a free curriculum-linked education programme that supports young people at every school, college and nursery in England to improve the biodiversity within their grounds, all while developing their green skills and enhancing their connection to nature.  

An ambitious project and world first, more than 10,000 education settings have already signed up, and more than 25 million square metres of habitats have been mapped. Children and young people are digging new ponds, creating green walls and growing pollinator-friendly plants across the country's education estate - an area around twice the size of Birmingham.

The programme is led by the Natural History Museum working with the Royal Horticultural Society, Esri UK and supporting partners. It has been commissioned by the Department for Education as part of their Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy. 

Useful links

• Tiny Forests and Tree planting opportunities for schools
• School recycling collections
• School streets
• Play streets
• Ashden: Climate Solutions in Action
• Bedfordshire Sustainable Schools Network
• Let's Go Zero
• Become a Climate Ambassador