Kirkhope primary at Ettrickbridge won the recognition of its achievements in the international Eco-Schools award scheme.

The 44-pupil primary and nursery school has led the way in the Borders since becoming the first school locally to be awarded its first and second green flags in 2005 and 2008 for its commitment to raising eco-awareness in the school.

Head teacher Mo Brown said: “We are delighted to be awarded our third green flag. It’s so important that children learn that we are all custodians of our planet and that we must protect our environment for future generations.”

The green flag is the highest level of attainment in the eco-schools programme which is designed to encourage whole-school action for the environment.

After gaining the second green flag, the Kirkhope children looked at careers in eco-work and started a junior countryside ranger project in which they were trained by Bowhill rangers in map reading, twig and bird identification and using spotting scopes and binoculars. The project won the school first place and £300 in the first Borders Schools Eco-Challenge, sponsored by Marks and Spencer (M&S) last year.

This year, the children have been learning about becoming wardens of their local woods. In the January snow, pupils monitored woodland wildlife by lidentifying tracks and they plan to build a small bird hide and a woodland trail with information boards. The school is monitoring energy use and that being generated by the school’s solar panels, while litter hunts, bird feeding and gardening are regular activities.

Mrs Brown, who has been involved in teaching conservation since 1988, last year received an award from the General Teaching Council for Scotland for her work in teaching environmental issues.

Scottish Borders Council member for education, councillor Catriona Bhatia, said: “This is a fantastic achievement for Kirkhope. The school is an inspiration to other schools across the Borders which are also doing brilliant eco-schools work.”