What is the Green-Schools Programme? 

Green-Schools is an International environmental education programme, offering a well-defined, controllable way to take environmental issues from the curriculum and apply them to the day to day running of a school. 

The programme is coordinated by the Environmental Education unit of An Taisce and by Local Authorities throughout Ireland. Green-Schools is an initiative of FEE - Foundation for Environmental Education and is referred to internationally as Eco-Schools.

The programme is operating in  43 countries in Europe and beyond.  A Green Flag is awarded to schools working on the programme who have successfully implemented the criteria and policies set out in the seven steps of the programme.

Are schools in Fingal involved in the programme?

The Irish Green-Schools Programme is one of the most successful within the international network. Over 75% of all Irish schools are currently involved and at a recent awards ceremony a very important target was reached - 2,000 Irish schools have received the Green Flag award. Over 80% of schools in Fingal are registered in Green Schools.  Since the programme started 11 years ago, Fingal schools have achieved the following very impressive statistics:

A summary of the number of schools awarded flags is provided in the following table:

Theme	Number of flags awarded
Litter & Waste	68
Energy	50
Water	29
Travel	7
Schools awarded a 5th flag	1
Total	155

When can a school apply for the award?

Schools registered and working on the Green Schools Programme for at least nine months can apply for the Green Flag Award by December 1st and March 1st every year. Fingal County Council has a programme in place whereby a member of the Environmental Awareness Team can visit schools to provide guidance on the programme, or give presentations on environmental issues.

If you are a school that is interested in receiving a visit from Trish Kennedy, the Green Schools Co-Ordinator for the Fingal Area, please call 01 890 6286 or alternatively email patricia.kennedy@fingalcoco.ie

For more information on Green Schools in Fingal, visit the Fingal County Council website.

To register your school why not visit the the Green Schools Ireland website and start today!

For information on the National Green Schools Programme please contact:

Anthony Purcell, Green Schools Manager, An Taisce, 5A Swifts Alley, Francis Street, Dublin 8.
Tel:  01 400 2222
Fax: 01 400 2285
Email greenschools@antaisce.org

 

Updated 16th June 2010