Manchester schools are celebrating a greener future as they came together at Wythenshawe Park after achieving the prestigious Eco-Schools Green Flag status (Thursday 2 July 2026).
Eco Schools is a national programme that puts young people at the heart of environmental action to make their school communities and the planet greener for everyone to inhabit. Pupils choose the issues they care about from “Ten Topics” and lead projects in their schools before submitting their work for assessment. Successful schools are awarded the status of having a Green Flag.
This year, more than 20 Manchester schools have already achieved Green Flag status, with some earning merits and distinctions. Six schools from across the city attended each with pupil led “eco-committees” that have worked hard throughout the year on environmental projects including reducing littering, ensuring plants and animals live longer through biodiversity and saving water.
The schools who took part were St Margaret’s C of E Primary School, St Richard’s RC Primary School, Didsbury CE, West Didsbury CE Primary School, Manchester Muslim Preparatory School and Crosslee Community Primary School. Across Manchester, over 1,600 young people have taken part in hands-on growing activities, 470 bags of litter have been collected, and 1,200 uniform items have been redistributed.
Manchester is now recognised as a UNICEF Child Friendly City and taking part in the Eco Schools programme, this year marks an important step forward in the region’s journey towards sustainability and youth led environmental action.
The event was backed by Manchester Eco Schools, part of Keep Manchester Tidy, and Biffa who have been part of the pledge to make the city cleaner and greener. Many others also supported the event; books were donated by Read Manchester and the National Literacy Trust, and the charity Blossom delivered a nature-based workshop from the glasshouses in Wythenshawe Park.
The jam-packed day featured hands-on workshops including bug hotel making and litter picking, nature themed storytelling and recycled arts and crafts, and a walking visit to the Blossom glasshouse to the pledge tree and nature detective trail. Sarah Roberts, a renowned author and environmental journalist, delivered an insightful keynote sharing her expertise on how we can all be eco-friendlier and about her travels around the world.
The event was about celebrating and the inspiring work of young people across the city and highlighting how schools are helping to build a cleaner, greener environment for Manchester
Schools can apply before the 31 July deadline, and registration is open for new schools to join from September. More information about the programme can be found on Eco-Schools.
