Hi everyone and welcome back to another edition of our Schools & Agents Bulletin. In a live broadcast we recently shared, Bernice had the pleasure of talking to Jonathan Dykes from Green Standard Schools (GSS), our partners in promoting sustainability across the international education sector. Let’s explore some of the valuable insights from the session into why language schools should pursue GSS accreditation and how the application process works.

The Green Standard Schools mission

Jonathan highlighted GSS’ aim to advance environmental consciousness within educational institutions worldwide. As sustainability becomes increasingly important across all industries, language schools have a unique opportunity to lead by example and integrate eco-friendly practices into their daily operations.

How the GSS audit process works

One of the most attractive aspects of GSS accreditation is the complimentary sustainability audit offered to all participating schools. This audit evaluates an institution’s current environmental practices and provides a clear baseline for improvement. It centres around 50 carefully designed questions that schools answer through self-evaluation, providing supporting evidence wherever possible for transparency.

Scoring and accreditation requirements

The GSS accreditation system operates on a 200-point maximum scale, but schools only need to achieve 130 points to qualify for certification. This inclusive approach ensures that institutions at various stages of their sustainability journey can participate and receive recognition for their efforts. Schools can reapply as often as they wish, allowing for continuous improvement and advancement.

Flexible pricing 

The sustainability audit is free of charge. For those schools that wish to gain an accreditation certificate, GSS has designed a pricing model that accommodates different institution sizes, with annual accreditation ranging from €400 for smaller schools to €800 for larger establishments. Additionally, member institutions of partner associations benefit from a substantial 25% discount on accreditation fees.

Collaborating with Green Standard Schools feels like a significant step towards creating a more sustainable international education industry, empowering language schools to implement meaningful environmental changes. Ready to gain more insights into sustainability in schools? Follow Schools & Agents’ weekly Sustainable Wednesday series for practical tips!

Written by Stephanie Clark