July Newsletter
Whilst many of our nurseries remain open, Summer holidays are almost here for our schools. First and foremost, we wish all staff and pupils who are breaking up, a happy Summer! After a difficult year, you deserve it more than ever.
2.5 weeks to go until the end of the Eco-Schools Green Flag Submission Window!
Work continues on our schools’ carbon footprint calculator!
Work continues on the development of our schools’ carbon footprint calculator, launching in 2023/24. You can support the project by working with your business and site managers to complete our data survey. This will help us to set baseline averages for the calculator, which will be used by schools who can’t access a certain data point, who will then be able to use an average for a setting of their type and size.
… And finally, even though the Summer break is here, Eco-Schools pupils are still keen to explore environmentalism. With this in mind, we’ve compiled a mini-list of Summer environmental activities that can be shared with your school and nursery communities.
Celebrate National Marine Week
From July 26 to August 6, dive into our mysterious underwater world with The Wildlife Trusts’ annual celebration of all things marine!
Love Parks Week
This national celebration runs from July 28 – August 6 and urges everyone to get outdoors and visit their local park, then share why they love their park with #LoveParks on social media!
Create Upcycled Art
This is a great one for those rainy, indoor days. Artist Darrell Wakelam has created lots of terrific art projects that use waste items from around the house.
Support Local Wildlife
From building animal habitats to creating feeders, there are many DIY, wildlife-supporting projects to be found on the internet and The Wildlife Trust is a great place to start – click the link below for ideas and inspiration!
Complete a Bioblitz
A Bioblitz is a challenge to identify and record as many species of plants, animals, and fungi as possible over a set amount of time, in a specific area – knowing what wildlife lives where will help us look after the natural world. Check out the RSPB’s helpful guide by clicking below!
Make a Plant-Based Recipe
A great activity to do with parents/guardians, or independently for older pupils, is to make a plant-based recipe. The carbon footprint of a plant-based meal is usually very small and they’re also delicious!
What’s new for 2023/24?
Throughout the Summer months, the Eco-Schools Team will be working on a variety of updates to the Eco-Schools programme including:
- A directory-style resource linking to 50 high quality eco-projects that you can tackle in 2023-2024 all counting towards your Eco-Schools application.
- Refreshed Eco-Schools 7 Step videos to share with your new Eco-Committee.
- A new streamlined application for school’s renewing their Eco-Schools Green Flag.
- The second year of our national Cut Your Carbon campaign which will now take place during November.
- New resources including a new Healthy Living project co-developed with the Bupa Foundation.
If you have any ideas for how we can help more schools engage more young people in more environmental actions please get in touch: eco-schools@keepbritaintidy.org
Enjoy your last few days of term, have a wonderful summer break, and please do get in touch if you have any last minute application issues!
The Eco-Schools Team
