Ecoschools is an internationally acclaimed programme that engages the whole school community in improving the school's environmental performance.  The school sets up an Eco-Council which then identifies the main areas for the school to tackle and develops a programme of actions. 

There are nine topics and these include as examples, energy, waste, transport and school grounds.   A part-time officer is employed by MEC to lead on the initiative.  There are now 50 schools in Middlesbrough signed up to EcoSchools; prior to the employment of an officer in 2005, only two Middlesbrough schools were participating in Ecoschools.  Five schools have achieved a Green Flag, the highest level of EcoSchool Award, with 24 Silver Awards and 37 Bronze Awards. Schools achieving Green Flag also have a Silver and a Bronze Award.

Currently one school is aiming for a second Green Flag and a further two schools are waiting to be assessed for a Green Flag.  There has been a recent increase in secondary schools wishing to take part in the EcoSchools programme and meetings are currently ongoing with these schools.

The EcoSchools Programme in Middlesbrough is managed through the Environmental Education Specialist Working Group.  Many partner organisations contribute to the programme including Tees Valley Wildlife Trust, Middlesbrough Council Waste Policy, Middlesbrough Council Parks and Countryside, Tees Valley Arts, North York Moors National Park and Groundwork North East.