Welcome to isbi’s GREEN Schools initiative. We want to celebrate schools who look to protect the environment and teach their children to respect their surroundings.
Many private schools are rising to this challenge, adopting sustainable practices not only to reduce their environmental impact but also to strengthen their identity as eco-conscious communities. From installing solar panels and reducing plastic waste, to creating vibrant green spaces, schools are finding innovative ways to go green.
We’ve asked some of our schools to share what they’re doing to lead the way toward a more sustainable future. After all, academic achievement is important—but so is nurturing well-rounded young people who are ready to thrive in a rapidly changing world
Jerudong International School (JIS), Brunei
At JIS, sustainability goes beyond traditional education - it’s woven into our curriculum, resources and our school environment. Guided by our “Teaspoons of Change” philosophy, we believe in taking small, meaningful actions to collectively create a big impact. Our goal is to inspire our students to take responsibility for the environment and empower them as tomorrow’s changemakers.
JIS is a recipient of the Green Flag Award and innovation thrives here: a Year 13 student built a plastic shredder, the Eco Juniors tend the Edible Garden and the Dive Club launched the JIS Reef Ball Programme for coral restoration. Our Outdoor Discovery Centre (ODC), a 10,000m² reforested outdoor classroom, showcases student led-projects that includes rewilding, composting and rainwater harvesting. Partnerships with groups like EnEvo also help us recycle 2,392kg of waste paper into toilet paper.
Our House Forest Levels Award (HFLA) encourages eco-reps, recycling drives, green businesses and tree planting through friendly competition. Our Solar PV Project, Brunei’s first major school solar installation generates around 600,000KWh annually from over 600 solar panels, lowering our carbon footprint.
Through every effort, JIS students live our core values and earn Polio Points - each contributing donations to UNICEF for polio vaccines, proving that small acts can drive global change.
Over the next two academic years (2024-2026), our students will centre their sustainability efforts around the urgent theme of ‘Climate Emergency’, exploring four key subthemes: biodiversity and nature, energy, waste and litter, and marine and coast. Students will lead projects that tackle real-world environmental challenges, deepening their understanding and strengthening their role as changemakers in an ever-evolving global landscape.
To read more about our numerous initiatives, visit our website here
Lingfield College, Surrey
Prep School Celebrates Third Year of Eco-Schools Green Flag with Distinction
Lingfield College Prep has been awarded the Eco-Schools Green Flag with Distinction for the third consecutive year!
This prestigious recognition is a testament to our whole-school commitment to sustainability, environmental awareness and inspiring eco-leadership in our young people. It celebrates the passion and perseverance of our pupils, staff and wider community – all working together for a greener future.
This year, our Eco-Schools focus was on Biodiversity, School Grounds, and Waste, and we’re incredibly proud of the strides we’ve made in all three areas.
A Biodiversity Boost
Our biggest success? The creation and flourishing of King Charles III’s Eco-Garden, a vibrant space filled with wildflowers, handmade bird feeders, a new tree for shade, and the wonderfully imaginative King Charles Bug Hotel. These additions, alongside eco-sculptures and log-pile habitats made from trimmed branches, have created a sanctuary for local wildlife – and a daily source of joy and learning for our pupils.
From Tree to Table
One of the standout moments this year was our hands-on apple and plum harvest. Our Eco-Warriors picked the fruit, pressed it, and turned it into apple juice, plum jam, and chutney, which they then sold as part of a sustainable enterprise initiative. These simple, joyful activities not only promoted environmental stewardship but also brought our community together in meaningful, memorable ways.
Small Changes, Big Impact
Throughout the year, our pupils have taken action to reduce waste, reuse resources, and keep our school grounds tidy and thriving. These efforts have been underpinned by our beautifully written Eco-Code – a poetic call to action that reminds us:
Looking Ahead
This recognition is not a finish line – it’s a springboard. We’ll continue to nurture a culture of sustainability at Lingfield, encouraging curiosity, innovation and collaboration as we take our next green steps.
Sir William Perkin's School, Surrey
Student Leadership at the Heart
The assessors praised the growth of our active, student-led Eco-Committee, highlighting how students have developed strong leadership and communication skills. These skills are not only helping to embed sustainability across the school but are also empowering students to influence the wider community on environmental issues.
Celebrating Energy, Transport and Global Citizenship
Transport – Pedal Power: One of the standout successes was our October Bikeathon, which encouraged students and staff to choose cycling over driving for shorter trips. This initiative not only promoted healthier lifestyles but also helped reduce carbon footprints, lower emissions, and cut down on noise pollution.
Global Citizenship – Sharing and Reuse: As part of Cut Your Carbon Month, our Clothes and Books Swap was recognised as a fantastic example of how small changes can make a big difference. By promoting reuse and reducing waste, students highlighted how we can all minimise the demand for new production and its environmental impact.
Energy and Lifestyle – Everyday Actions: In November, an impressive 340 students took part in at least one of six carbon-cutting activities. From swapping baths for four-minute showers to trying vegan meals for a day, students discovered practical, everyday ways to conserve resources and reduce emissions.
Community Connections
The Eco-Schools team also commended our efforts to involve the local community in our sustainability journey. A highlight was welcoming Dan Callaghan from Runnymede Borough Council during Green Careers Week. His assembly talk on career opportunities in the environmental sector was both inspiring and informative, showing students how their passion for the planet can shape their future.
Looking Ahead
We are immensely proud of this recognition, but more importantly, of the dedication and creativity shown by our students. Their leadership is helping to drive positive change at SWPS and beyond. With the momentum of this award, we look forward to continuing our sustainability journey, reducing our environmental impact, and empowering our community to make a difference.
Burgess Hill, Sussex
Burgess Hill Girls is proud to have been awarded the Eco-Schools Green Flag with Distinction, the highest level of recognition for environmental action and sustainability that a school can achieve. This award celebrates the hard work, creativity, and commitment of our pupils, staff, and wider school community, all of whom have played a role in making Burgess Hill Girls a greener place.
The Eco-Schools committee were full of praise in their feedback. They commended the school’s “switch-off” campaign, a student-led initiative that encouraged everyone to save energy by switching off lights and devices when not in use. Pupils designed and displayed their own eye-catching signs around the school, which proved to be both creative and highly effective.
The committee also highlighted the school’s commitment to reducing waste. Paper recycling has been promoted across the site, and careful steps have been taken in the canteen to cut down on food waste, an issue that pupils themselves helped to address. The impact of these changes has been noticed by staff and students alike, with everyone more conscious of their role in helping the environment.
In addition, the outstanding work of the Eco Club received special recognition. This dedicated group of pupils has transformed the school’s Eco Garden into a thriving, welcoming space, while also planning and running an inspiring Earth Day celebration that brought the entire school community together to think about sustainability.
We will be adding more schools to this list as more focus on green initiatives.