We developed this toolkit to help schools through the process of creating their own vision of their sustainable school and then planning to achieve it. We offer toolkit workshops, which begins with 'What does Sustainability mean?' and moves on to addressing the issue in the school in a holistic way. The links and co-benefits are explored and the school can create priorities that suit their context, needs and resources. The workshop usually lasts about four hours in total, and can be delivered in chunks over time.
We prototyped it at Highfields school in Newark, Nottinghamshire, in February 2024. Please see below several short videos featuring the head teacher Sarah Lyons and the operations manager, Sue Beaumont.
We prototyped it at Highfields school in Newark, Nottinghamshire, in February 2024. Please see below several short videos featuring the head teacher Sarah Lyons and the operations manager, Sue Beaumont.
This is the conceptual model we use. Each area represents a part of the school's functioning, and they all co-influence and co-supports. They can greatly contribute to curriculum enrichment and innovative teaching.
For example, 'Purchasing and Waste' is about the school's procurement. An example may be using green energy (link with 'Energy and Water', STEM link) or using local suppliers and paying money into the local economy ('Local Well-being). 'Purchasing and Waste' is connected to the Global Dimension by examining food miles in school (staff tea and coffee is a great example, Geography link), and Biodiversity may link with purchasing peat-free compost for the school grounds (biology link).
For example, 'Purchasing and Waste' is about the school's procurement. An example may be using green energy (link with 'Energy and Water', STEM link) or using local suppliers and paying money into the local economy ('Local Well-being). 'Purchasing and Waste' is connected to the Global Dimension by examining food miles in school (staff tea and coffee is a great example, Geography link), and Biodiversity may link with purchasing peat-free compost for the school grounds (biology link).