July Newsletter
Hello End-of-Term Environmentalists!
As the summer break approaches, we’re excited to share our final newsletter of the academic year! With only two weeks remaining to submit Green Flag applications, we’ve included tips for a successful submission below. We also provide a sneak peek at some of the exciting changes we have planned for next year. And finally, we’ve got some environmental activities that young people can explore during their holidays!
Submitting Your Application
What Happens After Submission?
Once you’ve submitted your Green Flag application, it is immediately queued up for assessment by one of our DBS checked, QTS assessors. Meanwhile , you’ll receive an invoice for your accreditation (unless a third party is covering the cost). When our team completes your assessment, you’ll receive personalized feedback via email. If we require additional evidence, we’ll reach out. Once payment has been made and your assessment completed, we’ll mail your certificate and flag/plaque and e-mail your digital award pack. With schools closing for the summer break, from next week we’ll hold off sending anything out until September (unless otherwise instructed).
September: Eco-Schools Early Years
Over the past months, the Eco-Schools’ Team have been busy working with early years practitioners and sustainability experts to improve the Eco-Schools’ pathway for nurseries and other early years settings. Starting in September, early years settings will have their own criteria and application form, alongside a wealth of new supporting resources. These resources include a fresh approach to the Environmental Review and 50 environmental provocations designed to inspire eco-learning in your setting. Stay tuned for more details!
November: Cut Your Carbon Returns
Following the success of our Cut Your Carbon campaign in 2023, it will be back bigger and better in November 2024! Cut Your Carbon is a month long challenge that shines a spotlight on the carbon emissions that are associated with our everyday activities. It has been designed to highlight how small changes can help combat climate change and protect our planet. With new challenges, new resources, and some amazing prizes up for grabs it’s definitely not to be missed!
September: Free Eco-Schools’ Training
Once again, we’re delighted to announce that we will be able to provide free Eco-Schools’ training to all Eco-Coordinators in England. Our training sessions are designed to guide you through the Eco-Schools’ Seven Step framework, sharing examples of best practice that will help boost engagement, maximise your Eco-Schools’ impacts, and successfully achieve Green Flag status. On top of this, for the first time, we will also be offering free carbon literacy training. Keep an eye out for updates and sign-up information from September.
Spring 2025: Count Your Carbon Pupil’s Playground
Thank You!
As we reach the end of the academic year, our team would like to express our heartfelt gratitude for your incredible work over the past 11 months. We recognise that working in any educational environment is exceptionally demanding. Despite the daily challenges you face, you consistently find time to amplify the voices of young people and empower them to champion biodiversity, reduce pollution, and combat climate change. Your dedication is truly inspiring, and we feel honoured to play a small part in supporting your efforts. Over the summer, we encourage you to reflect on your achievements since September and take immense pride from them. You are all truly superstars.
And Finally,
- If you’d like to set your pupils some Eco-Homework over the summer holidays, the National Trusts 50 Things to Do Before You’re 11 3/4 is a great place to start. You could share the list in its entirety or use it to curate your own bespoke challenge for your pupils. Many of the activities are just as relevant to, or easily adaptable for, secondary school students!
- The next cut-off date for Learning Through Landscapes Local School’s Nature Grant is Friday 6th September. Click here for more information.
- Don’t forget that for their 30th anniversary Fairtrade Fortnight has moved to September. Keep an eye on their website for further details, in the meantime check out their 30 Ways to Celebrate 30 Years resources.
- Climate Ambassadors are hosting a national series of events between 24th – 27th September. These events are designed to support climate action planning in education settings. Find out more here.
- Congratulations to North Ridge High School in Manchester, who won Jamie Oliver’s Sustainability Star Award. You can read about their ‘Plot-to-Plate’ journey here!
- Researchers at the University of York want to find out how schools are adapting to high temperatures caused by heatwaves linked to climate change. If you have a spare 15 minutes to complete their short survey, it would be massively appreciated!
- We’ve recently updated our terms and conditions, you can read through them here.
