Barnet school earns 'Green Flag' for environmental commitment

Linda Appiah-Spick on Queen Elizabeth’s School’s prestigious award

A group of young people and adults in a garden holding a green flag — Students and teachers with their green flag – (Credit – Queen Elizabeth School)

Queen Elizabeth’s School has been awarded the prestigious Eco-Schools Green Flag, recognising its commitment to sustainability and environmental education.

Central to the award is the school’s thriving allotment, which has become a living classroom for students and an important resource within the Barnet community. Through practical, hands-on activities, pupils are learning about community growing, biodiversity, organic food production, plastic pollution and other key environmental issues.

The school’s sustainability programme encourages students to think globally while taking positive action locally, helping them develop the knowledge and skills to make a meaningful environmental impact both in school and in the wider community.

The Green Flag recognises the successful completion of the Eco-Schools Seven Steps framework, an internationally recognised programme that empowers young people to lead environmental initiatives in their schools, local communities and beyond.

The achievement follows further success in the Royal Horticultural Society’s School Gardening Awards, with QE progressing from level one to level two. The school has also received a £50 National Garden gift voucher, which will help support the continued development of the allotment and expand opportunities for outdoor learning.

The awards reflect the dedication of students and staff including maths teacher and allotment coordinator, Nadeem Kydd and biology teachers Gillian Ridge and Dr Sam who whose enthusiasm and commitment have been instrumental in developing the allotment project and inspiring students to become active environmental stewards.

The school was awarded the Eco-Schools Green Flag: Distinction Award. Along with a flag, it also received a Green Flag plaque, award certificates and a seed card ‘thank you’ – which included wildflowers to be planted.

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