The Green Flag Award is recognised as a symbol of excellence in environmental education and sustainable practices. 14 local schools have achieved a Green Flag with Distinction and 5 more earned a Green Flag with Merit for their innovative and outstanding sustainability projects.
Administered by the Eco-Schools programme, which is part of the Keep Britain Tidy environmental charity, the award celebrates schools that have embedded sustainability into their curriculum and daily activities.
Councillor Tracey Wye, our Executive Member for Sustainability and Climate Resilience, expressed her admiration for the schools’ achievements:
We should all be proud of the younger generation who show an inspiring level of responsibility toward the environment. Their commitment to sustainability gives us hope for the future. The attainment of these awards is a testament to the dedication of both pupils and staff in taking meaningful action to live more sustainably. We could all learn from their example!
An annual impacts Eco-Schools review calculated the collective action of all the Central Bedfordshire participants of the award and showed that a total of 13,900 school children took part, 300 energy-saving devices were installed, 250 trees were planted, 76 walk-to-school days were planned, nearly 1,000 pupils learnt to cook a plant-based meal and over 1,300 children took part in a litter pick.
Eco-Schools accreditation is an excellent way to recognise and celebrate the hard work and ecological achievements of young people. It shows that their efforts are valued and helps build the confidence and motivation to continue addressing environmental issues throughout their lives. The awards also serve as a signal to the local community that the school, college, or nursery is forward-thinking and actively promotes youth-led environmental education.
Get involved
Schools across Central Bedfordshire are encouraged to sign up for Eco-Schools this year to access new resources, eco-activities, and opportunities to further their sustainability journeys. Registration is free and available through the Eco-Schools website.