The Process
Congratulations on making the decision to become part of an international programme for environmental education for sustainability.
This is an exciting time for your school to join the 37,500 participating Eco-Schools worldwide, taking the challenge and working towards improving the local and global environment through education and practical action.
The first step to becoming an Eco-School is registration. You can check whether your school is already registered by using our search facility.
Once registered, you will receive some introductory information by email, termly newsletters, an abundance of web-based resources and access to further support from our delivery partner organisations, local councils and government agencies.
Once your school is registered with Eco-Schools Northern Ireland, you can begin to implement the Eco-Schools Seven Elements. The Eco-Schools Handbook outlines the seven elements of the programme in detail. To download a pdf copy click here and for a handy summary of the award criteria please click on the link. Please remember that you do not have to tackle all of the ten topics in one go but a minimum of three topics - one major and two minor - must be covered for the Green Flag Application.
The most important aspect for schools to remember is that every school is different and it is therefore critical that a school fits the seven steps around its circumstances and situation and NOT try and fit the school into the seven elements.
And finally above all else it should be fun.