Green celebrations as 21 Central Bedfordshire schools receive Eco-Schools Green Flag Award
Monday, 4 December 2023
In a resounding testament to the commitment to environmental sustainability, 21 schools have achieved a prestigious Green Flag Award for their outstanding and innovative sustainable projects.
The Green Flag, a recognised symbol of excellence in environmental education and sustainable practices, is administered by the Eco-Schools Keep Britain Tidy environmental charity. Eleven schools achieved Green Flag with Distinction with a further three awarded Green Flag with Merit.
Councillor Tracey Wye, our Executive Member for Sustainability and Climate Resilience said:
We should all be proud of the younger generation who have a responsibility to the environment that puts many adults to shame. Achieving these prestigious awards shows how dedicated pupils and staff are to taking action and enjoying the positive effects of living sustainably. We could all take a leaf out of their books.
This last academic year, we've supported schools by providing advice from a dedicated Sustainability Officer and an Eco-Schools forum to help schools share best practice. In addition to this, in May of this year the Sustainability Team hosted an Eco-Schools Conference to showcase sustainable school practices across the Central Bedfordshire area. Applying for an Eco-Schools Green Flag is a way to celebrate and reward the ecological achievements of young people, demonstrating their hard work is appreciated and encouraging them to continue to engage with environmental issues. The following winning schools have all been presented with their awards:
- Aspley Guise Village School - Green Flag with Distinction
- Brooklands Middle School - Green Flag with Distinction
- Dovery Academy - Green Flag with Distinction
- Edward Peake Middle School - Green Flag with Distinction
- Etonbury Academy - Green Flag with Distinction
- Fairfield Park Lower School - Green Flag with Distinction
- Heathwood Lower School - Green Flag with Distinction
- Marston Moreteyne VC School - Green Flag with Distinction
- Parkfields Middle School - Green Flag with Distinction
- Cedars Day Nursery - Green Flag with Distinction
- Cherry Trees Day Nursery - Green Flag with Distinction
- Haynes Lower School - Green Flag with Merit
- Pulford CofE VA Lower School - Green Flag with Merit
- Dunstable Icknield Lower Schools - Green Flag with Merit
- Arnold Academy - Green Flag
- Beecroft Academy - Green Flag
- Harlington Lower School - Green Flag
- Lark Rise Academy - Green Flag
- Linslade Lower School - Green Flag
- Shefford Lower School - Green Flag
- St Mary's VA CofE Lower School – Green Flag
Councillor Wye added:
If we flip climate change from doom to an opportunity to build a better future, our schools are right up there leading the way. I hope the 21 Green Flags to celebrate the work of young people, who will soon be the new leaders of innovation and solutions, will energise others to be the change we need.
Congratulations to all pupils who achieved distinctions and merits. Let’s build on this success with more schools joining the programme.
Nicola Burr from Edward Peake School in Biggleswade, which was awarded a Green Flag with Distinction, said:
Working on the Eco Schools programme has given us a great deal both as individuals and as a school. The students who attend Eco Club are passionate about our environment and really enjoy looking after it and finding out more about it. As a school, it is a wonderful programme to bring lots of elements together across the curriculum and across the school community. The environmental review allows us to reflect on the work we have done and generates ideas to participate in the future. The variety of topics that are included allow us to focus the action plan to the students’ interest or issues that are important to us as a school community.
Schools are encouraged to take part in the scheme this year either for the first time or to renew their flag status. Comments made by judges to one of the winners of a Green Flag with Distinction award, Heathwood School, included: “young people in your school are aware of environmental issues and committed to being active and creating positive change.
Find out how to participate in Eco-Schools and engage with our support.