Climate and Sustainability

Schools’ Climate Education South Yorkshire (SCESY) is a voluntary group, set up in the summer of 2019 to organise schools' conferences in the South Yorkshire region around the central theme of the climate emergency.

One of the concerns highlighted by studies and surveys was that the curriculum, particularly in the secondary school sector, needed reforming to properly reflect the climate emergency.

The aims of Schools’ Climate Education South Yorkshire (SCESY) are to:

• promote the education of school students about the climate emergency
• encourage schools to educate young people to question evidence, engage in dialogue and become active citizens
• encourage schools to include climate education in all areas of the curriculum
• promote CPD for teachers and school leaders about the climate emergency
• encourage and enable young people’s discussion and participation around the central theme of the climate emergency
• empower young people to join or form eco groups in schools and become local climate champions
• encourage and support schools to develop a pathway to zero carbon emissions

They work with students, schools and authorities across South Yorkshire to deliver an annual conference that raises the profile and celebrates the work of our schools in addressing the climate emergency.

See more about SCESY's work on their website: https://www.scesy.org.uk/ or contact them on admin@scesy.org.uk.

Download the impact assessment for their 2024 Conference.

The National Education Nature Park programme supports settings to embed nature-based learning across the curriculum and encourages children and young people to take action to improve their site for people and for wildlife. Support and guidance is available to make this easier for settings to implement.

The Sustainability Support for Education page contains information for all education settings at different points on their

• inviting a volunteer Climate Ambassador to inspire your action planning
• booking an appointment with a Let’s Go Zero Climate Action Advisor to audit school
• sustainability and develop a climate action plan

Let’s Go Zero brings together UK schools who want to be zero carbon, are reducing their own climate impact, and demanding greater UK government support to achieve this goal. The campaign will show national government that there is a substantial demand amongst teachers and pupils to become zero carbon, with the potential for schools to catalyse wider change in their communities.

Let’s Go Zero now have Climate Action Advisors are experts, who offer free support for schools, colleges, and nurseries across England. They support schools to understand their carbon impact, make effective plans, and find funding and resources. They work with schools of any size, even those that are just starting their sustainability journey, as well as spotlighting local opportunities for how schools can work together.

Find out more about the Climate Action Advisor offer and register your interest here: Let's Go Zero- Climate Action Advisors

Eco-Schools is a seven step framework that thousands of schools, nurseries and colleges around the world use to introduce, manage and complete environmental actions in their organisation and local community. Uniquely, the Seven Steps aim to place young people at the heart of these environmental actions. This approach engages, motivates and empowers young people to care for our planet now and throughout their lifetimes. You can read a brief summary of each of the Seven Eco-Schools Steps below, or head to our Early Years, Primary or Secondary & College pathways above for the full criteria, further details, resources and examples.

When a school, nursery or college has worked through each of the Seven Steps, they can then apply for Eco-Schools Green Flag accreditation. The Eco-Schools Green Flag is international and recognised by organisations such as UNESCO. It is a symbol of a school’s commitment to environmental education. Find out more about the Green Flag and other Eco-Schools awards.

eco-schools@keepbritaintidy.org

DECSY has 40 years’ experience in promoting Global Learning – supporting teaching on the understanding of complex global issues, such as inequality, conflict, climate change, migration and different world views. DECSY staff provide resources, advice, training and support through delivery of in-person and online CPD courses; creating and trialling lesson plans and classroom resources; providing up to date books and online topic resource lists; facilitating teacher practitioner groups. Current CPD courses include:

• Gender Equality in Schools – a whole-school approach
• Climate Change – a whole-school approach
• Anti-Racist Education workshop
• Diversity workshop
• Non-violent action: a force for change
• Teaching topical, controversial and sensitive issues
• Engaging with the Sustainable Development Goals
• Philosophy for Children

For a list of all courses see: www.decsy.org.uk | info@decsy.org.uk