Eco schools flying green flags

Environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful has awarded 18 schools across North Lanarkshire with an ecoschools green flag accolade.

The international award recognises nurseries and schools which have demonstrated a commitment to the Eco-schools Scotland programme and, over two years, have engaged their whole school community in local climate action.

Monklands schools renewing their green flag awards are Kirkshaws Primary and nursery (since 2007), Greengairs Primary (since 2002), Drumpark Primary and nursery (since 2002), St Aloysius Primary (since 2009),

Glengowan Primary and nursery class (since 2012), St Dominic’s Primary and nursery class (since 2004), and Clarkston Primary (since 2003).

And Plains Primary, Sikeside Primary and Bargeddie Primary regained their green flag awards after a short hiatus.

All the schools took part in a variety of litter-busting and climate action activities including litter picks, recycling and community clean-ups.

Through the Eco-schools Scotland programme, Keep Scotland Beautiful aims to make action to tackle climate change and environmental awareness an intrinsic part of the life and ethos of schools, for both pupils and staff.

The programme provides a framework to engage the wider school community in climate action aligned with the purposes of Curriculum for Excellence and Learning for Sustainability. To complete the green flag journey each school has a choice of 10 topics to engage with.

Catherine Gee, deputy chief executive of Keep Scotland Beautiful, said: “I’d like to congratulate the ecocommittee, pupils and staff at each of these schools, who have worked so hard to play their part in combatting climate change and achieving their green flag award.”