Tom has spent five years working at an independent school in Bristol (Clifton High School) as the Lead on Environmental Education two days a week. This program involved working with the whole school community.
How did we go about it: –
- We focused each term on a different theme which were chosen by the whole community using online voting (we gave them 8 options for the6 terms each year).
- The process of voting created interest in the playground where the eco-committee walked around with school iPads ready for ANYBODY passing through the playground to cast their votes. It was sent out to parents and grandparents (important stake holders in Independent schools!).
- By the end of the process nobody in the community could pretend they did not know what they should be focusing on which helped with input, momentum and Leadership investment. We made sure we bought in outside speakers for the school, still on the current theme.
- We had folders on staff shared area with suggestions for their subject matter on the themes. The end result was an action plan that the students were in charge of https://www.environmentaleducationproject.com/action-plan.
Creating a platform for change: –
To help keep governors and Leadership team in the mix we sort advice from www.JessicaFerrow.com to create a bespoke Sustainability Policy , published on the school website, which touches on all aspects of sustainability in the community.
Celebrating with the school community: –
Through Tom’s contacts we brought in around 20 specialists over time, to run exciting workshops and help the school community fully engage. The school was awarded the Green Flag from Eco Schools three times. It was probably the first all through school (Nursery to Y13) to be awarded this.
We hosted pupils and teachers (on separate occasions) for Sustainability Festivals with training workshops. Nearly all attendees walked to the event.
We hosted an Ocean Festival for the public and Bright Green Futures day for the school community each year.
