This document discusses sustainability in schools and provides definitions of sustainability. It notes that OFSTED found students responded well to education for sustainability when they could participate in practical classroom and community projects. The government's goal for 2020 is for all schools to be models of sustainability. Several definitions of sustainability are provided focusing on meeting present needs without compromising the future. The document encourages promoting sustainability across the whole school and engaging students and teachers on issues like energy use and waste.
10. “...Pupils responded particularly well to education for sustainability when it gave them the opportunity to take part in practical activities within and outside the classroom and enabled them to research, plan and implement projects that made a clear difference to the school and the local community....” OFSTED Dec 2009
11. By 2020 the Government would like all schools to be models of sustainability.....
13. Sustainabilityis a big word..... “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” “the capacity to endure” “the ability to continue without lessening, to nourish, to allow to flourish” “an attempt to provide the best outcomes for human and natural environments both now and into the indefinite future” “a global society founded on respect for nature, universal human rights, economic justice, and a culture of peace” “the ability to continue/maintain into the future” “the human desire to live in harmony with nature and one-another ” “the desire to maintain and improve the economic, environmental and social characteristics of an area so its community can continue to lead healthy, productive, enjoyable lives there” “improving our lives without continually increasing the amount of energy and material goods that we consume”
14. “Sustainability is simply finding ways to take care and preserve the future of life on Earth, where CARE is the main word. If WE care, and can persuade others around us to care, then WE can make the difference.” Patrick Okoth, Year 9Abraham Moss High School, Manchester
18. The Good, The Bad And The Downright Ugly! Good: Reusable trays Bad: Wasting light energy Ugly: Disposable cups , plates, knifes, forks and plastic bottles
What started me off – the bad press contractors we getting through paying ‘lip service’ to pupil inclusion....
OFSTED report of May 2008 - teaching of sustainability“inconsistent and uncoordinated”. We’re living and breathing issues of sustainability in our everyday work (or at least we all SHOULD be!”)
Models of sustainability? Got to get the message into the curriculum pretty quick then....
Children, teachers, even head teachers, are confused about the best way to bring sustainability into the classroom when they are not even sure what it means!
When you look at some of the corporate/dictionary definitions, it’s not surprising.
If we care.....and most of us do, we’re just not always conscious how much until we see a dreadful image, or here a terrible statistic....
We gave them more resources linking sustainability to construction – the Eco Classroom, Eight Doorways style!
The best examples are demonstrated in Stickyworld.....
So why do we exist?
Real projects for real kids – Accrington Academy pupils got their Eco Classroom planning permission through on 14th July 2010.
Bradfield School and the Dam Flask Rowing Club hope to do the same....