Environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful has awarded 18 schools across North Lanarkshire with an eco-schools 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.
Schools renewing their green flag awards are: St Brendan's Primary School (a green flag award winner since 2003), Kirkshaws Primary School and Nursery (since 2007), Newmains Primary School and Nursery (since 2008), St Bernard's Primary School (since 2005), Greengairs Primary School (since 2002), Drumpark Primary School and Nursery School (since 2002), Firtrees Nursery and out of school club (since 2011), St Aloysius Primary School (since 2009), Morningside Primary School (since 2007), Glengowan Primary School and nursery class (since 2012), St Dominic's Primary and nursery class (since 2004), Clarkston Primary School (since 2003) and Lawmuir Primary School (since 2008).
Noble Primary School achieved its first green flag award in 2021.
While, Plains Primary School, Sikeside Primary School, Bargeddie Primary School and Banton Primary School regained their green flag awards after a short hiatus.
All the schools took part in a variety of fantastic litter-busting and climate action activities including litter picks, litter surveys, 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 for 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, from climate action, to food and the environment, to litter, and energy.
The schools also choose one of the 17 United Nations sustainable development goals to link their eco-schools work to.
Catherine Gee, deputy chief executive of Keep Scotland Beautiful, told Lanarkshire Live: “I’d like to congratulate the eco-committee, pupils and staff at each of these schools, who have worked so hard to play their part in combatting climate change and achieve their green flag award.
"This is particularly impressive during a time of unprecedented adjustment and change to education due to the pandemic and is testament to the resilience and creativity of both pupils and educators.
“Keep Scotland Beautiful is committed to supporting all our children, young people and educators through our climate action schools activities to develop the capacities, skills and attributes required to protect our planet and work towards our goal of a net zero future.”
More information about the world’s largest sustainable schools programme and Eco-Schools Scotland can be found at www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/eco-schools
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