In the UK in one year, there would be enough household waste to fill dustbins stretching all the way from the Earth to the Moon and back.

TEACHER'S SECTION

The environment and education are amongst the most important modern day issues. We live in an age when the world population is rising, consumption of the world’s finite natural resources is at an all time high and we face major threats to our future well-being from climate change, pollution, waste mountains and wildlife extinctions.
It is therefore vital that young people are given the knowledge and skills to understand these problems and to play their part in developing solutions and forging a more sustainable way of living.

Schools are the key to meeting this challenge. Not only must they incorporate environmental education as a core element of the curriculum, they must also foster values of personal and social responsibility. The EMAS in Schools programme helps achieve both these objectives. It offers children innovative educational experiences both inside and out of the classroom with great opportunities for personal development. Indeed it brings home the message to pupils, teachers and the whole school community that we are all responsible for the environment. Importantly though we can, often through simple choices, reduce our impacts and do our bit to help create a greener future.

Environmental management will in the future be a requirement for all organisations. Many businesses, local authorities and voluntary bodies are already taking active steps to address their environmental responsibilities. Schools in Leicester are helping to pioneer this approach in the educational sector and all schools that gain the EMAS qualification can be rightfully proud of their achievement.

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Introduction EMAS stands for ‘Eco-Management and Audit Scheme’, it is a voluntary European scheme designed to improve an organisation’s environmental performance. Its aim is to recognise and reward those organisations that ‘go beyond minimum legal compliance and continuously improve their environmental performance’. Implementing an environmental management system has a range of exciting benefits for schools, including: "The EMAS project helps to inspire students to become better citizens by raising awareness of environmental issues" (Vicky Priestley, Beaumont Leys School) Financial Savings Through a Reduction in Resource Use and Waste Production The scheme encourages reducing the use of resources in school, such as heating and lighting fuels, this ultimately cuts site costs. Curriculum Enrichment Through the use of the handbook and this website www.emasinschools.co.uk Environ will take care to ensure that activities undertaken as part of EMAS will be tied into most areas of the National Curriculum, including English, Science, Maths, Geography, Art & Design, Citizenship and Information and Communication technology. The curriculum will be enriched by the relationship that the pupils will develop with the environment. Pupils will take part in every stage of the environmental management and audit process, this will give them new experiences and knowledge which can be used in all aspects of learning. It is their chance to get involved in a real-life practical project, which will help them build on written and communication skills. Development of Ownership and Personal and Social Responsibilities for the school and its environment, among all members of the school community. As well as the opportunities provided for pupils, taking part in the EMAS project also provides numerous opportunities for staff to develop leadership and management skills. Involvement with a Groundbreaking Project. By joining EMAS your school could be among the very first in the country to gain the prestigious European EMAS environmental accreditation and display its logo on letterheads and publicity material.

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Index of Worksheets [Topic A] - Waste Minimisation, Recycling and Litter • Worksheet A1 – Reduce, Re-use, Recycle • Worksheet A2 - Drama – An Uncertain Future • Worksheet A3 - Classroom Waste Survey [Topic B] - Energy • Worksheet B1 - Introduction to Energy • Worksheet B2 - Monitoring – Reading Meters • Worksheet B3 - Data Handling [Topic C] - Water • Worksheet C1 – The Importance of Not Wasting Water • Worksheet C2 – How Does Our School Use Water? • Worksheet C3 - Monitoring Water Use [Topic D] - Open Spaces and Wildlife • Worksheet D1 – Protected Species • Worksheet D2 – Wildlife Audit • Information Sheet – Increasing Wildlife in School Grounds [Topic E] - Transport • Worksheet E1 – Hand Count Tally • Worksheet E2 – Local Traffic and Environmental Issues [Topic F] - The Use of Materials and Services • Worksheet F1 – Fairtrade • Worksheet F2 – FSC (Forestry Stewardship Council) • Worksheet F3 – Use of Paper [Topic G] - Reducing Environmental Risk • Worksheet G1 – How do Rules and Laws Affect Me? • Worksheet G2 - Design An Environmental Emergencies Poster [Topic H] - Telling People about EMAS • Worksheet H1 – How to Make a Presentation • Worksheet H2 – Poster Design • Worksheet H3 - Writing a Newspaper Article [Topic I] - Healthy Eating • Worksheet I1 – How Far has Our Food Travelled? • Worksheet I2 – Growing Food in School Grounds

Management Audit

Section A - Waste Minimisation, Recycling and Litter

Section B - Energy

Section C - Water

Section D - Open Spaces & Wildlife

Section E - Transport

Section F - The Use of Materials and Services

Section G - Reducing Environmental Risk

Section H - Telling People about EMAS

Section I - Healthy Eating

Table of Curriculum Links