Awards

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

Bronze
Silver
Green Flag

The Bronze and Silver awards are self-assessed online and trust is placed on each school to complete this process. If your school meets the award criteria, log in to the website to apply online and download your Bronze or Silver certificate.

Green Flag applications must be completed online in the new School Zone. The old paper application will no longer be accepted.

Once a school 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. As always you can submit your Green Flag application at any time; however assessments will only now happen from March - June and awards are given in June of each year.

We are hosting our final Green Flag clinic on Tuesday 20th February at 3.30pm. You can register here to attend the online information session.

The deadline for a guaranteed assessment in the 2023/24 school year is 1st March 2024. Schools applying after this deadline might not be assessed and awarded by the end of June.

We will do our best to assess schools submitting after the suggested deadlines but may find this difficult, particularly in the summer term, which is very busy. So beat the rush and get your application in early. We are always happy to help with assessment application queries on 02890 736920 or email eco-schools@keepnorthernirelandbeautiful.org.

If you would like to nominate an exceptional pupil or teacher for our Eco-Pupil and Eco-Teacher of the Year awards, please send your nomination to the email above. Include your name and email, your nomination's personal details, and a short written or recorded entry (no more than 250 words for written entries or 5 minutes for videos) explaining why your nomination deserves the award. The deadline for the competition is the Friday 1st March 2024. The winning teacher and pupil will be invited to the Eco-Schools annual awards ceremony in June 2024 to receive their awards.

Whilst we are delighted to be able to offer Green Flag Assessments free of charge to all main-stream primary, post-primary, nursery, special and preparatory schools, there is a small charge of £200 for the Green Flag Assessment for private pre-schools, day nurseries and independent schools.

Need help with your application? Contact your Field Officer!

Anna Green, anna.green@keepnorthernirelandbeautiful.org

Belfast City (BCC) and Antrim & Newtownabbey (A&N)

Gareth Lamrock, gareth.lamrock@keepnorthernirelandbeautiful.org

Derry City & Strabane (DCS), Causeway Coastal Glens (CCG), Mid & East Antrim (MEA)

Peter McErlean, peter.mcerlean@keepnorthernirelandbeautiful.org

Fermanagh & Omagh (FO) and Mid Ulster (MU)

Ben Ryan, ben.ryan@keepnorthernirelandbeautiful.org

Newry, Mourne & Down (NMD), Armagh, Bainbridge & Craigavon (ABC)

Zara Hamilton, zara.hamilton@keepnorthernirelandbeautiful.org

Lisburn City & Castlereagh (LCC) and Ards & North Down (AND)