Over 200 pupils from across 14 schools in Manchester took part in the celebrations with their teachers and community leaders to officially recognise their schools as being one of many that has led the way in making their communities cleaner and greener for everyone. Colleges and nurseries have also taken part with 19, 607 participants across the city taking the initiative to protect the environment by being involved in the Eco-Schools programme and gaining their prestigious Green Flag accreditation.
The momentous day was packed with engaging workshops and hands-on activities such as Biodiversity workshops with the RHS Nature Park Team, Sow the City and Lancashire Wildlife Trust, exploring the rich ecosystems in Heaton Park. Read Manchester and Literacy Champions led an inspiring poetry session and Plastic Shed shared innovative ways to reduce waste.
It was followed by guided historical walks hosted by Bike It, Walk It (In Our Nature) and planting stations and sports-themed eco games in collaboration with Keep Manchester Tidy, promoting active and sustainable lifestyles. Pupils also shared their feedback about the programme as part of supporting Manchester becoming a Child Friendly City before sharing a “Big Picnic Lunch” with other pupils and staff.
Eco-journalist and documentary-maker, Sarah Roberts, delivered a captivating keynote, sharing her journey and encouraging young people to become environmental storytellers and changemakers not just in the UK, but like her own efforts in Iceland and Namibia.
Known as Eco-Schools, the event gets its name from a steadfast programme since 1994, empowering young people to take several actionable steps in improving the environment for their schools and local communities as part of Keep Britain Tidy.
Out of the seven-step framework, it calls for schools to focus on topics; from healthy living, biodiversity, waste, energy, global citizenship and litter. Following a period of evaluation and monitoring, schools can then apply for Eco-School accreditation, or Green Flag status, to formally recognise their hard-earned achievements. Manchester currently has 30 provisions who have proudly accomplished Green Flag status – with 10 at Distinction level.
The programme has seen 2,984 pupils have gardening lessons, organise 150 litter picks and have collected 211 litter bags, and one school even initiated a total ban on single use plastic in 2023/24. Keep Manchester Tidy are ensuring that these incredible outcomes continue by helping to fund the various schools that choose to participate in the Eco-Schools programme.
