Eco-Schools: A scheme to get pupils involved in environmental action
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.
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.
| School name | Certification level |
|---|---|
| Alameda Middle School | Green Flag with Distinction 2025 |
| Arnold Academy | Green Flag with Distinction 2025 |
| Ashton St Peter's CE VA Primary School | Green Flag with Distinction 2024 |
| Aspley Guise Village School | Green Flag with Distinction 2025 |
| Beecroft Academy | Green Flag 2023 |
| Brooklands Middle School | Green Flag with Distinction 2025 |
| Cedars Day Nursery | Green Flag with Distinction 2025 |
| Cherry Trees Day Nursery | Green Flag with Distinction 2025 |
| Clifton All Saints Academy | Green Flag 2025 |
| Dovery Academy | Green Flag with Distinction 2025 |
| Dunstable Icknield Lower School | Green Flag with Merit 2023 |
| Edward Peake School | Green Flag with Distinction 2025 |
| Etonbury Academy | Green Flag with Distinction 2023 |
| Fairfield Park Lower School | Green Flag with Distinction 2025 |
| Gilbert Inglefield Academy | Green Flag with Distinction 2025 |
| Greenleas Lower School | Green Flag with Distinction 2025 |
| Harlington Lower School | Green Flag 2023 |
| Haynes Lower School | Green Flag with Distinction 2025 |
| Heathwood Lower School | Green Flag with Distinction 2025 |
| Holywell School | Green Flag with Merit 2024 |
| Kiddi Caru Day Nursery and Preschool in Leighton Buzzard | Green Flag with Distinction 2025 |
| Kingsmoor Lower School | Green Flag with Distinction 2025 |
| Laburnum Primary School | Green Flag 2025 |
| Lark Rise Academy | Green Flag 2023 |
| Linslade Lower School | Green Flag with Distinction 2025 |
| Marston Moreteyne VC School | Green Flag with Distinction 2023 |
| Parkfields MIddle School | Green Flag with Distinction 2025 |
| Priory Academy | Green Flag with Distinction 2025 |
| Pulford CofE VA Lower School | Green Flag with Merit 2025 |
| Raynsford Academy | Green Flag with Distinction 2022 |
| Redborne Upper School and Community College | Green Flag 2025 |
| Robert Bloomfield Academy | Green Flag 2025 |
| Samuel Whitbread Academy | Green Flag 2022 |
| Shefford Lower School | Green Flag with Distinction 2025 |
| Silsoe VC Lower School | Green Flag with Merit 2025 |
| Southcott Lower School | Green Flag 2024 |
| St Leonard's VA Lower School | Green Flag with Distinction 2025 |
| St Mary's VA CofE Lower School | Green Flag 2023 |
| Studham Village CE Academy | Green Flag 2025 |
| Swallowfield Lower School | Green Flag with Distinction 2022 |
| The Rushmere Park Academy | Green Flag 2024 |
| Thornhill Primary School | Green Flag 2025 |
| Toddington St George C of E School | Green Flag with Distinction 2025 |
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.
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.