Sustainable Schools For pupils, communities and the environment

2 April 2009

In the UK

We are one of the least energy efficient nations in Europe [EST]

We recycle just over a fifth of our waste, one of the lowest rates in Europe [Defra]; and we throw away a third of our food [WRAP]

On average in 2005 UK citizens made 625 trips by car in 2005 and 15 by bike [DfT]

26%

20%

16%

2%

3%

6%

6%

1%

11%

9%

Electricity (building)

Electricity (supply chain)

Travel to, from and at school

Food

Paper

Use of chemicals (eg, cleaning)

Other manufactured goods

Waste and recycling

Building works and materials

Heating

Schools are responsible for 15% of public sector carbon emissions

What is the Sustainable Schoolsstrategy?

The Sustainable Schools strategy encourages schools to take on board sustainable development in their everyday work, achieving educational excellence alongside the goals of:

healthy living environmental awareness community participation global citizenship

National Framework

Three interlocking parts:

A commitment to care

An integrated approach

Eight core sustainability themes (‘doorways’)

The doorways

Inclusion andparticipation

Purchasing and waste

Buildings andgrounds

Energy and water

Food and drinkGlobal dimension Local well-being

Travel and traffic

Example Doorway

Sustainable Schools

Good for pupils – relevant, exciting learning linked to issues that matter

Good for schools – vision breeds efficiency, VfM, optimism

Good for local authorities –quality of environment, good citizens, sustainable communities

What’s available?

Guidance for SMT, governors, bursars, teachers School planning guidance & self-evaluation (s3) LA guidance & self evaluation (s3+) being developed Sustainability category in Teaching Awards Sustainable design case studies “Carbon Detectives’ Kit” for pupils Assembly plans

www.teachernet.gov.uk/sustainableschools

Carbon Detectives’ Kit

energy food travel waste water

11

What is expected from schools

Reframe school improvement plans to build a sustainable school

Use the resources, programmes from third sector organisations and awards schemes

Demonstrate impact on:

pupils’ knowledge and understanding of sustainability

The school’s environmental performance

Be an example to their community

Further information

Craig Johnson Y&H ESD Sustainable Schools Coordinator 01756 700778 craig.johnson6@btinternet.com Grant Dyson Government Office for Yorkshire & the Humber0113 3412689 grant.dyson@goyh.gsi.gov.uk

www.yorkshireandhumber.net/esd

www.teachernet.gov.uk/sustainableschools www.carbondetectives.org.uk www.wearewhatwedo.org.uk www.teachingawards.com www.ashdenawards.org www.dcsf.gov.uk/aboutus/sd www.sd-commission.org.uk

RIEP updateTaking Forward and understanding climate change in schools

• Each sub region developing proposals in next few weeks

• Its about the estate as well as education and engagement

• Funding of ~£150k for the region.

• Contact your RIEP Board Member