How to Apply for a Green Schools Travel Flag

How to Apply for a Green Schools Travel Flag Applying for the Green Schools Travel Flag is easy and only takes a few minutes.

Checkout this video:

Introduction

The Green-Schools Travel Flag is awarded to schools that show a real commitment to making sustainable travel a reality. This means promoting walking, cycling, scooting and public transport, and encouraging parents and guardians to do the same. It also means reducing the number of car journeys made to and from school.

To apply for a Green-Schools Travel Flag, schools need to complete an online application form which can be found on the [website](https://greenschoolsireland.org/travel/).

The application process for the Green-Schools Travel Flag consists of four steps:

1. Complete the online application form – this must be done by the person who will be the main contact for the project in the school ( often this is the teacher in charge of the Green-Schools committee). This person will need to register as a user on the website before they can access the application form.
2. Assessment visit – Once we have received your completed application form, one of our team will arrange to visit your school to carry out an assessment of your current practice in relation to sustainable travel and discuss your plans for working towards the Travel Flag with you.
3. Action Plan – Based on what was discussed during the assessment visit, you will then be asked to prepare an Action Plan outlining what needs to be done in order for your school to achieve the Travel Flag.
4. Receive your flag! – Once you have completed all of the actions in your Action Plan, you will receive your Green-Schools Travel Flag in a special presentation ceremony.

What is the Green Schools Travel Flag?

The Green Schools Travel Flag is a national award that recognises schools who are reducing their reliance on travel by car. The award is open to all primary and post-primary schools in Ireland.

To be eligible for the award, schools must have a Travel Policy in place which sets out how they plan to reduce the number of car journeys made to and from school. Schools must also engage in a number of other activities such as promoting active travel, conducting travel surveys and organising walk or cycle to school days.

The aim of the award is to encourage more sustainable modes of travel and reduce traffic congestion and pollution around schools.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible to apply for the Green Schools Travel Flag, your school must:
-Be located in the Republic of Ireland
-Have at least 40% of pupils travelling to and from school by walking, cycling, public transport or carpooling on a regular basis
-Have a school travel plan in place
-Demonstrate commitment to promoting sustainable travel among pupils, parents and school staff

The Application Process

The Green Schools Travel Flag is a national award that aims to recognise and celebrate schools that are making an active effort to reduce their car dependency and promote sustainable travel amongst their students and staff.

The application process is simple and can be completed entirely online. In order to apply, you will need to provide:
-A travel plan outlining your school’s current travel habits and how you plan to improve them
-A list of the sustainable travel initiatives you have already implemented at your school
-Evidence of student and staff engagement with your sustainable travel initiatives
-A statement from your school’s senior leadership team (SLT) confirming their support for your application

If you have any questions or need any assistance with your application, please contact the Green Schools Travel Team at [email protected].

Tips for a Successful Application

The Green Schools Travel Flag is a national award that recognises schools who are making an active effort to reduce the amount of car journeys made to and from school. To date, over 1,700 primary and post-primary schools have been awarded the Flag.

The aim of the award is to encourage more sustainable modes of travel such as walking, cycling and public transport, as well as to promote active travel in general. It also seeks to raise awareness of road safety issues among students, parents and members of the wider community.

Applications for the Green Schools Travel Flag are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year. To be in with a chance of having your school awarded the Flag, there are a number of things you can do:

-Encourage more sustainable modes of travel such as walking, cycling and public transport.
-Promote active travel in general.
-Raise awareness of road safety issues among students, parents and members of the wider community.
-Make sure your application is complete and accurate.
-Include supporting documentation where possible.
-Follow up with the Green Schools Travel Officer if you have any questions or need any assistance.

FAQs

Below are some frequently asked questions about the Green Schools Travel Flag. If you have any other questions, please contact us at [email protected].

What is the Green Schools Travel Flag?
The Green Schools Travel Flag is a national award that recognises and celebrates schools that are committed to promoting and encouraging sustainable travel behaviours among their students, staff and wider school community.

To be awarded the Green Schools Travel Flag, a school must demonstrate that it has completed a three-year journey of continual improvement in the area of sustainable travel, and has met specific Criteria in the areas of Pedestrian and Cyclist Safety, Sustainable travel Education, Active School Travel and School Travel Plans.

How can I apply for the Green Schools Travel Flag?
To apply for the Green Schools Travel Flag, please download and complete an application form from our website: www.greenschoolsireland.org/travel-flag/apply-now/. Once your completed form has been received, we will be in touch to arrange a time for our team to come and visit your school to see your work in action!

What is the cost of applying for the Green Schools Travel Flag?
There is no charge for applying for or being awarded the Green Schools Travel Flag.

How long does it take to complete the application process?
The entire process – from start to finish – will take approximately six months. This includes time for our team to visit your school and conduct an assessment, as well as time for you to complete any necessary follow-up actions.

What are the benefits of being awarded the Green Schools Travel Flag?
There are many benefits to being awarded the Green Schools Travel Flag! These include:
-Awarded schools will receive a certificate and special flag to fly at their school
-Schools will be listed on our website as a ‘Green School’
-Schools will be profiled in our ezine and across our social media channels

In addition, being awarded the flag provides an excellent opportunity for students, teachers and parents to celebrate their achievements together, as well as raising awareness of sustainable travel issues within your wider school community.

Case Studies

Green-Schools Travel is a voluntary environmental management and education programme for primary and post-primary schools. It was established in Ireland in 1998. Schools can apply for a Green-Schools Travel Flag once they have completed certain actions, such as conducting a school travel survey and raising awareness of the importance of sustainable transport among students and staff. This section provides information on how to apply for a Green-Schools Travel Flag, as well as some case studies of schools that have successfully achieved the flag.

Why Apply for the Green Schools Travel Flag?

The Green Schools Travel Flag is awarded to schools that make sustainable travel choices, such as walking, cycling and taking the bus. It is an environmental award that also promotes healthy living and community spirit. The benefits of applying for the Green Schools Travel Flag include:

-Reduced traffic congestion and pollution around the school
-Safer routes to school for children and parents
-Reduced carbon emissions
-Healthier children with improved fitness levels
-A stronger sense of community among parents and children

Conclusion

We hope this guide was helpful in explaining the process for applying for a Green Schools Travel Flag. If you have any questions, please contact the Green-Schools Travel Team at [email protected].

Scroll to Top