Last week saw the launch of the Our Schools, Our World programme in Brent. Our Schools, Our World helps schools to develop a transformative whole authority approach to climate change in schools. It encourages schools to set up a sustainability strategy group, green their curriculum and make climate education a key focus for all pupils.
It was a fantastic 3 days, with school staff from the following schools attending the training at Brent Community Enterprise Hub:
Fryent Primary, Roe Green Infants, Roe Green Juniors, Sinai Jewish Primary, St Robert Southwell Primary, Mount Stewart Schools, Brentfield Primary, Harlesden Primary, Kilburn Grange, Manor School, Newfield Primary, St Mary’s CofE Primary School, Preston Manor, Salusbury Primary, Sudbury Primary, Stonebridge Primary, Wykeham Primary, Oakington Primary, Anson Primary School.
Each day was filled with energy and ideas, with schools sharing knowledge on existing climate projects and discussing the importance of teaching pupils about climate change.
The training was led by representatives from the Brighton and Hove programme, Our City, Our World, and the climate emergency team from Brent Council.
On Day 1, the training bought together headteachers, senior programme leads and lead governors from each school. This training day aimed to start the formation of the sustainability strategy group in each school and explored the importance of strong leadership when adopting a whole school approach to climate change.
Headteachers, Senior Programme Leads and Lead Sustainability Governors from 20 schools across the borough:
Day 2 focused on ‘greening’ the curriculum, with senior programme leads exploring how to develop their existing curriculums and interweave climate change into each year group’s learning. In the afternoon, the group headed outside for activities on outdoor learning. They also then had a session with ThoughtBox on how to talk to young people about climate change.
Senior Programme Leads discussing the importance of outdoor learning for their pupils:
Day 3 bought together school business managers and site managers from each school to focus on climate action planning and decarbonisation. We were joined by Mel Parr, Climate Action Advisor from Let’s Go Zero, who shared many practical tips on reducing emissions. Schools also plotted actions on an impact graph, identifying which small or bigger steps they could take to get started on their carbon footprint. We were joined virtually by Adam Flint from Eco-Schools to share information on the Count Your Carbon tool and also Paul Edmond from UK Schools Sustainability Network.
School Business Managers and Site Managers plot actions they could take to reduce their school’s carbon footprint on an impact graph:
It was hugely inspiring to see so many schools commit to integrating climate education into the way their school functions, with huge ambitions to create long-term lasting change for their pupils and their local community.
As the programme moves forward over the next two years, Brent Council will be supporting each school to implement the Our Schools Our World framework and create links with local businesses and communities.
For more information or if you have any questions, please contact Beth Newman – Schools Climate Action Manager at Brent Council.
Colleagues from Brent Council, Let’s Go Zero and Brighton and Hove Council:
