For schools and home educators: –
‘Eco empathy and resilience, for young people and their planet‘
A series of remote PSHE lessons in support of a Post Covid Recovery Curriculum
WHY: This programme consists of a series of lessons about why we need re-frame eco anxiety as eco empathy and building environmental resilience.
HOW: They are delivered remotely (online platform of your choice) from our outdoor activities center in woods just west of Bristol.
WHAT: It aims to build a sense of agency for each individual and the confidence to be proactive. It also responds to the ecological disaster and climate change unfolding for young people, while they also adapt to a COVID world.
It will help pupils to understand that everyone’s views and experiences are different. And that there are many ways to tackle the issues and anxieties which affect us locally and globally.
We will highlight where staff and pupils can turn if they need extra support.
PSHE lessons are well suited to looking at environmental issues for individuals, populations and our planet. The scale of the problems demand class time, to address them appropriately and avoid distress. The impact and issues need to be balanced with building blocks for resilience and adaptability. Eco anxiety, if unsupported, is the most common hurdle for young people stopping them having a sense of agency. However we are all part of a 7.8 billion piece puzzle and we can all play our part, this is our cornerstone.
Environmental education is only covered in two curriculum subjects for KS3-KS5. Often, KS1+KS2 students only learn from topics the individual teacher wants to include alongside their otherwise well established curriculum based lesson plans. This PSHE programme offers a suitable structure for personal development, not just to avoid anxiety now but also to empower students to be proactive at university or in a career in the green sector.
PSHE lessons could or should be taught outside in a green space? Certainly we offer remote delivery into your classroom (using your preferred platform) but our presenter will be in a woodland!
WHAT IS ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION?
- It covers many areas of our lives including effects of climate change, biodiversity and sustainability but also our values and sense of hope.
- Go to page
- Signposting to resources is to support a Golden Thread around environmental education across your whole school’s activities
PROGRAMME CONTENT
ENVIRONMENTAL RESILIENCE ‘for people and planet’
FOREVER BETTER
Methods of assessment are based on observation and pupil input. Pupils are also given opportunities to peer and self-assess their work. Where PSHE matters are delivered with other subjects, written work will be assessed in line with the relevant department’s policy. The appointed PSHE lead in a school is asked to give feedback and suggest specific topics going forward. Individual sessions are evaluated through informal discussion with staff and pupils and these inform any necessary amendments or additions. Hopefully this programme will be discussed in the school council and also with parents through the relevant associations or groups
KEYWORDS
Climate change / Biodiversity / Sustainability
Science / Geography / Culture / Natural World
Eco empathy / Change Makers / Well-being / Resilience / Sense of Hope
