Four schools in the Highlands recognised with Eco-Schools Green Flag Award status

Issued by Keep Scotland Beautiful 

Keep Scotland Beautiful awards schools for fantastic environmental action.

Environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful, is delighted to award four schools in the Highlands with an Eco-Schools Green Flag. 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 environmental action.

The schools are Carrbridge Primary School (which has held a Green Flag Award since 2010), Caol Primary School (a Green Flag Award winner since 2009), Junior World Childcare Group (which has held a Green Flag Award since 2019) and Cannich Bridge Primary School (a Green Flag Award winner since 2008).

Pupils at Carrbridge Primary School carried out a habitat survey in the school grounds and sourced recycled paper products for the school nursery. 

Caol Primary School pupils carried out regular litter picks, worked on reducing energy use at school and organised extensive school grounds improvements and gardening projects. 

Children at Junior World Childcare were enthusiastic litter pickers who also worked on reducing food waste. 

Pupils at Cannich Bridge Primary School organised a community litter pick, started composting snack waste and worked towards their John Muir Award by enhancing a local park.

Through the Eco-Schools Scotland programme, Keep Scotland Beautiful aims to make environmental awareness and action to tackle climate change an intrinsic part of the life and ethos of schools, for both pupils and for staff. The programme provides a framework to engage the wider school community in action and support aligned with the purposes of Curriculum for Excellence and Learning for Sustainability.

To complete the Green Flag journey each school has a choice of ten topics to engage with, from food and the environment, to litter, to energy. The schools also choose one of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals to link their Eco-Schools work to.

Barry Fisher, Chief Executive of Keep Scotland Beautiful, said: “Congratulations to the Eco-Committee, pupils and staff at each of these schools, who have worked so hard to achieve their Green Flag Award, particularly during a time of unprecedented adjustment and change to education caused by the Coronavirus pandemic. This is a great achievement and testament to the resilience and creativity of both pupils and educators.

“Keep Scotland Beautiful is committed to supporting all our children and young people to develop the capacities, skills and attributes required to protect our planet for the future.”

More information about the world’s largest sustainable schools programme and Eco-Schools Scotland can be found on Keep Scotland Beautiful's website.