Introduction
Climate Change Schools Project
The Climate Change Schools Project is a ground-breaking and unique educational programme currently operating in the North East of England – it is being rolled-out into other parts of England from 2010. The Project aims to put climate change at the heart of the national curriculum via an organic and pioneering network of ‘Climate Change Lead Schools’ who build climate change understanding and positive action from the ground-up. Visionary schools and teachers are at the core of this approach, though the focus of the Project is on young people – helping them to achieve a better understanding of the nuts and bolts of climate change science, as well as to discover solutions and explore how to positively adapt to the challenges brought by climatic changes over the coming decades. Lead Schools are also becoming ‘centres of excellence’ in leading on positive climate change action in their local communities.
For further information on the project visit the following page:
www.climatechangeschools.org.uk
Aims of Climate Change Lead Schools
The Climate Change Lead Schools are the vision of the Climate Change Schools Project, a ground-breaking and unique programme which aims to put climate change at the heart of the national curriculum.
The overall aim of the Climate Change Lead Schools is to become an ‘organic’ and self-sustaining network of visionary and pioneering schools who help to collaboratively build climate change understanding and positive action from the ground-up. We want schools to become the ‘hub’ of excellence in climate change teaching, learning and positive action in their local communities.
The Climate Change Lead Schools network was launched in October 2008, initially consisting of 80 schools from all across the North East (new schools join the network just prior to each new academic year – see www.climatechangeschools.org.uk for ‘Expressions of Interest’ in May).
Through the provision of specially tailored teacher CPD courses and ongoing sharing of best practice, Climate Change Lead Schools:
- access specially designed, cross-curricular ‘Schemes of Work’ focussed on climate change, developed by inspiring North East teachers;
- gain experience in promoting climate change teaching, learning and positive action with creativity, flexibility and progression through the years;
- develop their leadership role across the network;
- use their role as a catalyst to become involved in other, complimentary initiatives, e.g. Sustainable Schools, Eco-Schools etc.
Therefore, the Climate Change Schools Project supports the Lead Schools in empowering our young people to achieve a better understanding of the nuts and bolts of climate change science, as well as to discover solutions and explore how to positively adapt to the challenges brought by climatic changes over the coming decades. They are helping to pave the way for positive climate change education and action, led by our young people.
