EMAS in Schools
Helping you reduce your impact on the environment
The award winning programme ‘EMAS’ (Eco-Management and Audit Scheme) is a recognised and accredited
European scheme designed to improve environmental performance, delivered by Groundwork Leicester and
Leicestershire in partnership with Leicester City Council.
EMAS focuses on ways in which sustainable development can be embedded into school management and provides
practical guidance to help schools operate in a more sustainable way. By involving the whole school and combining
holistic change with more traditional environmental management systems, we aim to inspire positive behavioral
change for both pupils and teachers. There are significant benefits to tackling these issues including; improving
sustainability, reducing energy bills (Gas, Electricity, Water) and importantly, helping to develop creative thinking to
improve learning outcomes for young people.
The benefits of EMAS are clear and verifiable:
 Schools account for up to 60% of a local authority’s carbon footprint. The least energy-efficient schools pay
over three times as much for energy per pupil as the most energy-efficient.
 Work carried out through EMAS by Groundwork & LCC has been independently verified to save participating
schools on average, over £4,000 on energy bills, and one tonne of reduced carbon emissions, per year.
 Environmental Education Officers deliver curriculum focused sessions that enrich core curriculum delivery.
 A whole school approach to EMAS, supports the sustainable schools agenda of “Curriculum – Campus –
Community”.
 OFSTED recognise the value of the EMAS in school programme
Through EMAS, Groundwork can bring added-value such as; Woodland crafts, waste sorts, and waste free lunches,
which focus on educating pupils about where they live. It can aslo offer Bikeability Cycle Training, Family Learning
activities and events at local forests and nature reserves, through other partnerships. Each can be tailored to your
school’s need with a dedicated Groundwork Officer working to provide bespoke educational packages.
Here’s what those already involved have to say:
“Schools have a large environmental impact, for example through the energy they use and the waste they produce. They also
represent an important opportunity for educating the environmental champions of the future. The EMAS in Schools programme
delivers both practical environmental projects and imaginative environmental education. In addition, the project can produce
financial savings. By reducing £30,000 energy bill by 10% a primary school can save £3,000. EMAS in Schools truly is an
environmental, educational and financial ‘win-win-win’ project.”
Mark Jeffcote, Environment Team, Leicester City Council
“Working with Groundwork has been invaluable in helping inner city children develop the understanding that they have the
power to improve their environment. Children, parents and staff have been able to make a real difference to their community
by working together to improve the school grounds.”
Richard Stone, Head Teacher at Fosse Primary.
If your school would like to be a part of an award winning environmental programme and you would like more
information, please contact the Education Team on: 0116 2221595 or by e-mail to [email protected]