Welcome to SEEd E-News

Welcome to the February edition of the SEEd e-newsletter. Here, you will find news on sustainable development in the Education sector and sustainable schools, ESD, environment news, sustainability news, jobs, funding and any upcoming events, courses or consultations.
 
The Sustainable Schools Alliance - a case study 
 
This case study is not a single initiative nor a one organisation programme. Rather it has been a journey since the early 1990’s. As such this case study represents a systems approach and a scaling up through:

• creating some niches of innovative practice;
• using a patchwork of regimes/levers that existed at different times;
• exploring the potential of a change in the landscape of sustainability in the formal education system of the UK;
• reviewing and evaluating.

This journey also represents the stages and approaches to scaling up that were beginning to be seen in 2010 across the whole of the English school system, but have since been slowed down due to changes in government focus. Read more →

Ann Finlayson
Executive Chair

SEEd News

• SEEd hosts National Sustainable Schools Conference on March 2nd â€“ Find out what’s in store for this year’s NSSC and how you can be part of this monumental annual event in Leicester on March 2nd. Read more →
• Rubbish Observations – Check out our latest blog post and a reflection on how rubbish is shaping pedagogies in schools through its staff and shareholders. Read more →
• Initial Teacher Training and Education for Sustainable Development – A reflection and consideration on the inclusion of ESD in ITT and PGCE courses nationwide. Are we equipping new teachers with the sufficient skills to embed ESD into the curriculum, and how might we go about doing so? Read more →

SEEd Member News

Join SEEd to promote your work and new initiatives, resources and events in this newsletter. Go to our website and join us today.

• WWF – WWF have released a poignant and powerful new film from Micheal Morpurgo, Jeremy Irons and Maxine Peak. Watch and share #ShowTheLove for all we could lose to climate change. Read more →
• The Crystal - We are thrilled to have new members, The Crystal on board! Not only have they given us one of the world’s most sustainable buildings but they also play host to an interactive exhibition on our future cities and the innovative thinking that will help create sustainable, environmentally conscious places to live. Read more →
• Eco Schools – Eco Schools have paired up with Jaga to host a new competition offering the chance to win a free trip to the Centre for Alternative Technology. To enter the competition, all you have to do is write a story as to why you’re an eco-warrior! Read more →

Education and Environment News

• Poo Poo Power: fuelling schools and teaching students a lesson – Kaiisi school in Uganda is harnessing the power from human waste. Journalist Matthew Jenkin explores the educational and environmental issues. Read more →
• Concerns raised over number of children not engaging with nature - Two-year study finds more than 10% of children in England have not been to a natural environment in the past 12 months. Read more →
• Learning empathy through dance  - Schools are increasingly using movement and dance as vehicles for teaching kids socio-emotional skills. Read more 
• We need fewer exams and more wilderness in education - Ben Fogle suggests that instead of pumping time and money into exams, we should be focusing on wellbeing and encouraging children to connect with the natural world. Read more →
• Five easy ways urban schools can experiment with outdoor learning - Outdoor learning isn’t just the preserve of rural schools. These simple ideas will help you incorporate outdoor learning in a concrete jungle. Read more →
• No beef allowed: Inside the schools that have banned meat – From plant-based menus in California to vegetarianism in Letchworth, many schools are adopting sustainable food policies – with varying results. Read more →

Research, Publications and Guidance

• Teaching Sustainability, Kirsten Bartels and Kelly Parker: This book takes as its point of departure that integrating a component of sustainability into a discipline-specific course arises from an educator asking a simple question: in the coming decades, as humanity faces unprecedented challenges, what can my discipline or area of research contribute toward a better understanding of these issues? Read more →
• Compost Stew, Mary McKenna Siddals and Ashley Wolff: This book explains in a very fun and appealing way how earth naturally recycles materials in a process of decomposition to make good soil for growing things. A fantastic introduction to composting and would be a brilliant pairing with making your own compost heap! Read more →
• The UK’s Sustainable Schools Alliance – a case study: Case Study of the Sustainable Schools Alliance. Read more →

Events

• SEEd: National Sustainable Schools Conference –Our annual National Sustainable Schools Conference is fast approaching, grab one of the few remaining places to take part in a fantastic day and to learn about best practice work in ESD! Read more →
• Sustrans: The Big Pedal – Sustrans are once again hosting their annual Big Pedal event which is set to run from the 18^th – 39^th April, taking place over the two weeks following the Easter holiday. Schools are invited to compete to see who can record the greatest number of people cycling or scooting to school for amazing prizes. Read more →
• The Outrageous Nature Company: Wild Science and Storytellling and Story making in the outdoors – Join the Outrageous Nature Company and Jon Cree, nationally renowned trainer within the outdoor and environmental education sector, on these two exciting courses throughout March held in Norfolk. Read more →
• Friends of the Earth: Greater South East Regional Gathering – Friends of the earth are hosting a gathering with free training, workshops, speakers, networking and ‘wonderful people taking action for the planet from across the region’ on 19^th March. Read more →

Take Part

• WWF Plant2Plate Campaign – Plant2Plate is WWF’s exciting new school campaign that focuses on what can be done to produce and consume food in a sustainable way that is not harmful to our shared planet. Read more →
  Make Some Sustainable Valentines Hearts! – Like any other holiday, sometimes it can be difficult to join in on the fun without being wasteful. These recycled hearts are a perfect activity for kids and can be planted, giving way to gorgeous flowers in the spring! Read more →
  RSPB Giving Nature a Home family trail – Join RSPB in Lancashire this half term and bring your family team to have a go at this self-led trail to see if you can spot the different nestboxes and solve the clues as to who might be living in them! Read more →

Jobs

• RSPB: Policy Officer-Connection to Nature (Closing Date 24^th Feb) – RSPB are looking for an enthusiastic and skilled advocate, who will be passionate and effective champion for the change nature needs. The post-holder will have a focus on the benefits of connecting with nature and on education policy. Read more →
• Thames21: Communications Officer (Closing Date 4^th March) – London based charity, Thames21 are seeking to appoint a communications officer to oversee and maintain public-facing communications for the charity. Read more →
• Traidhos Three-Generation Barge Program: Barge Environmental Education Coordinator/Facilitator (Closing Date 10^th March) - An exciting post has opened in Bangkok, Thailand for an enthusiastic and talented facilitator who enjoys working with students regarding Education and Sustainability. Read more →