LEVELS
| There are seven key elements to the Eco Schools Award Scheme. |
Once you have implemented these to the standard of the criteria set in the Eco Schools Handbook which is received by each school on registering with the scheme, you may apply for an award.
You can apply for any one of the three levels depending on how much you feel your school has achieved.
The first two levels are the Bronze and Silver Certificates.
These are achieved by self assessment and can be applied for on line at www.ecoschoolsscotland.org.uk or by post at the Stirling Office. (See Contacts page.) Successful schools receive certificates by post.
The top level is the Eco Schools Green Flag.
If you feel your school has met the top level criteria for each of the seven elements, you are ready to apply for the Green Flag.
To apply for the award you will need to answer questions about the environmental activities in your school and fill out an application form. The answers and the completed form are sent to the Eco Schools office in Stirling.
If you application is of the required standard, an appointment will be made for a convenient time for two or three assessors to visit your school. The answers and the application from should provide most of the information needed
The visit is informal and usually lasts about one and a half to two hours. During this time the assessors will speak to the Eco Committee and ask to be shown evidence of environmental work going on in the school.
Once they have completed their visit, they fill in a review form and report back to Eco Schools Office in Stirling on their recommendation. If the school is successful it will be given the Green Flag, a certificate and a logo bromide master to use on headed paper and other school material.
Reapplying for an award.
The Eco School Green Flag Award remains valid for two years. After this point, schools must reapply to renew the award showing how they have sustained the activities of the previous award and progressed with others.
If a school achieves four green flags in succession with no lapses, it achieves Permanent Eco Status.