Applying for an Award

There are three award levels within the Eco-Schools programme:

• Bronze
• Silver
• Green Flag

How and When to Apply

The Bronze and Silver awards are self-assessed online and trust is placed on each centre to complete this process. Green Flag applications are submitted in writing/electronically and the centre is also visited by a trained assessor.

Once a centre has been awarded the Green Flag it will need to reapply for the award every two years. First applications and renewals use the same application form.

Bronze Award

Bronze Criteria

• The centre has identified an Action Team which has met on at least two occasions. This should include staff, a parent and children if possible.
• The Action Team has completed a formal or informal Environmental Review, the children have been included in this process.
• The Action Team has produced a basic Action Plan and has shared this with the rest of the centre and parents.
• The centre can indicate that some environmental issues have been covered within curriculum work.
• The centre has a prominent, designated notice board, web pages or newsletter which details Eco-Schools activities.

Applying for the Bronze Award

Before applying for your Bronze award please check that you have completed everything on the criteria checklist and that you have your centre login details. Do not send any forms or other written information to the Eco-Schools office as the Bronze award is given following a self assessment online.

Silver Award

Silver Criteria:

• The centre has identified an Action Team which has met on at least four occasions. The Action Team includes staff, parents and children where possible.
• The Action Team has completed a formal Environmental Review and has recorded the results.
• The Action Team has produced a detailed Action Plan (including timescales and targets) and shared the plan with the rest of the centre.
• The Action Team can demonstrate progress towards achieving at least two elements of the action plan.
• The centre can identify progress towards one large scale project and indicate involvement with two others.
• The centre has a prominent, designated notice board, web pages or newsletter which details Eco-Schools activities.
• The centre has informed parents and the wider community about the work being undertaken by the school in relation to Eco-Schools.
• The centre can indicate that some environmental work issues have been covered within curriculum planning.
• The centre has agreed, adopted and displayed an Eco-Code.

Applying for the Silver Award

Before applying for your Silver award please check that you have completed everything on the criteria checklist and that you have your centre log-in details.

Do not send any forms or other written information to the Eco-Schools office as the Silver award is given following a self-assessment online.

Green Flag Award

Green Flag Criteria:

• The centre has identified an Action Team which has met on at least six occasions. The Action Team has the support of a parent and the wider community. The centre has completed a formal Environmental Review, recorded the results and undertaken a follow up review.
• The Action Team has produced a detailed Action Plan, including timescales and targets, shared the plan with the whole centre and updated it based upon the follow up review.
• The centre has identified progress towards achieving most targets in the Action Plan.
• The centre has obtained physical evidence of their progress, this can include photographs, activity sheets etc.
• The centre has identified substantial progress towards one large scale project and indicated involvement with two others.
• The centre has a prominent, designated notice board, web pages or newsletter which details Eco-Schools activities. Eco-Schools activities are reported in management meetings, as well as being regularly communicated to parents and the wider community.
• An Eco Code has been agreed, adopted and displayed.
• Good practice is shared with other centres who wish to join the Eco-Schools programme.
• Children are aware of environmental issues and this has been included in curriculum planning.

Please Note

In addition to the criteria listed above, Eco-Schools is introducing the following new requirement at Green Flag level. As part of the European Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, all public buildings with a floor area over 1000 m2 that are occupied by a public authority and providing a public service will be required to display a certificate which rates their energy use on a scale of A – G. The new Display Energy Certificate (DEC) looks like the A – G rating you would expect to see when purchasing a new Fridge or Freezer.

If you don't have a certificate yet don't panic. Local Authorities around the country are developing certificates for their own buildings. By contacting your authority you can find out when they are likely to be implemented in your area. Please send in two copies of the certificate (if you have one) with your Green Flag application form. If you have difficulty obtaining a certificate please give the team a call on 01942 612621 for more advice.

Green Flag Applications

Whether you are applying for a Green Flag for the first time or renewing your Green Flag status, the application process is the same (with the exception of an additional section for reapplications). As part of your Green Flag application you are asked to list evidence in support of your statements or answers.

Please make sure that this evidence exists, but do not do anything with it at this stage – as long as you know where to find it if needed during your judging visit! Please send in only two copies (double-sided) of the Green Flag application form and the few documents specifically requested! Two copies of each document, double-sided.

Click here to download your Green Flag application form

To apply for a Green Flag, please send your completed application form and enclosures to:

Eco-Schools
Keep Britain Tidy
Elizabeth House
The Pier
Wigan
WN3 4EX

Send to a colleague Print this page