Down High Goes Green

Down High School has been awarded its second prestigious Eco-Schools Green Flag by the environmental charity Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful.  

The Eco-Schools Programme is the world’s largest Environmental Education programme and aims to make environmental awareness and action an intrinsic part of the life and ethos of a school. Its participatory approach and combination of learning and action makes it an ideal way for schools to begin improving the environments of the school and their local communities.

Eco-Schools work through a simple seven-step process resulting in the programme becoming central to the school's ethos. Schools can choose from ten eco-topics ranging from litter and waste to energy, biodiversity and transport to name a few. Eco-Schools work towards achieving awards - bronze, silver and the prestigious Green Flag.

The internationally recognised Green Flag is this highest award given to Eco-Schools and symbolises excellence in the field of environmental activity. Through careful monitoring and raising awareness the school have seen a notable reduction in waste going to landfill and water usage. They are also involved with the national Poll:nation project run by Learning through landscapes.

Photograph contributed by Down Recorder

Mrs Wilson would like to thank the whole school community, RSPB, Ulster wildlife and parents for their help and encouragement. Special thanks goes to the Eco Committee, the Eco Enrichment Group, Mr James Marks ICT, Mr Robert Ellis and Mr Paul Bryce the school building supervisors.

The International Eco-Schools Programme is a free programme and further information can be found at www.eco-schoolsni.org.