Eco Schools

Three local schools recently took part in a competition on ways to improve recycling in our community; Niddrie Mill was the winning team and won a cheque for £300 which will be used to continue our ECO school development work. Well done to all the schools who took part but, in particular, to Jack McGovern, Charlie Miller and to Callum Patten (FP), the pupils who represented Niddrie Mill.

The aim of the Eco-Schools programme is to embed environmental awareness and action in the day to day life of pupils and staff in schools, while also engaging the wider community. This is achieved through a recognised award scheme that acknowledges schools that make a commitment to continuously improve their environmental performance.

There are three levels of award. The first two levels of award are the Bronze and silver awards, which are self assessed. The top level is the green flag award, which is assessed during a visit to the school and must be renewedevery two years. A school is considered to be a permenant Eco-school once it has gained its fourth green flag. A school can apply for any one of these levels depending on how much it feels it has achieved. Full details of the awards structure, and details of how to apply can be found on the Eco-schools scotland website www.ecoschoolsscotland.org

A committe has now been formed comprising 3 pupils from each class from P3-P7, having gained a bronze award in 2007, we have spent 2008-09 evaluating our eco statusin our new school premises. Currently the team are working towards our silver award.

View our ECO newsletter HERE