Eco Schools Programme

The Eco Schools programme is an international environmental award scheme for schools run in Northern Ireland by Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful.

It promotes sustainable living through whole-school action supported by learning resources, management tools and the internationally recognised Green Flag award scheme.

Schools who wish to take part in the Eco Schools Programme should firstly register at: www.eco-schoolsni.org.

There are three levels of award: Bronze, Silver and Green Flag.

Schools can choose from 11 topics:

Biodiversity
Climate Action
Energy
Global Perspective
Healthy Living
Litter
Marine
Outdoor Learning
Transport
Waste
Water

Local School's Green Flag Success

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council hosted children and teachers from across the district in Warrenpoint Town Hall in recognition of their environmental work at the annual Eco-Schools Green Flag Awards. Sixteen local schools received Green Flags, with others being recognised as Ambassador Schools. The Eco Schools Green Flag Awards for 2022 were sponsored by educational supplies and learning resource company, Nexus.

Schools honoured at the Green Flag event included: Academy Primary School, Saintfield; Annsborough Integrated Primary School, Castlewellan; Bunscoil Bheanna Boirche, Castlewellan; Dromintee Primary School, Newry; Mullaglass Primary School, Newry; Sacred Heart Grammar School, Newry; Sacred Heart Primary School, Dundrum; St Clare's Abbey Primary School, Newry; St Colman's Primary School, Kilkeel; St Joseph's Primary School, St Joseph's Primary School, Strangford; St Joseph's Primary School, St Malachy's Primary School, St Patrick's Primary School, St Patrick's Primary School, Legamaddy; St Bronagh's Primary School, Rostrevor.

Five Ambassador Schools were revealed on the day. Eco-Schools NI award Ambassador status to inspirational schools with exceptional levels of pupil leadership and whole school support, ensuring sustainability is embedded in the school ethos. The Ambassador Schools were Cumran Primary School, Clough; Down High School, Downpatrick; St Brigid's Primary School, Newry; St Bronagh's Primary School, Rostrevor and St Mary's High School, Newry.

A number of individual awards were also presented at the event including:

Biodiversity Champion for Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, sponsored by Radius Housing: Sacred Heart Grammar School, Newry.

Eco-Teacher of the Year for Newry, Mourne and Down District Council sponsored by Twinkl: Bronagh Reid, St Patrick's Primary School, Legamaddy.

Eco-School of the Year for Newry, Mourne and Down District Council sponsored by NI4Kids: St Joseph's Primary School, Strangford.