NESPSS - Latest News

We received an e-mail from Janice Lawson, Head of the Sustainable Development Unit at the Department for Education indicating that unfortunately the Secretary of State's office does not want a Sustainable Schools Strategy in the future. What that means is not exactly clear but it is not exactly surprising.

However this should NOT be seen as a major setback. We have developed and established a fantastic range of partnerships in this region and built a great momentum which will not easily be stopped. The NESPSS Board wish to continue supporting partners to support schools on this hugely important area of work which acts as a binding principle for so many areas of school improvement. Discussions are already being had at a national level to discuss how this area of work can be taken forward so please do not see this as an end but a start of something new.

21st June 2010

'Engaging with Nature - Wild about Plants' course by Plantlife International and the John Muir Award isrunning in September. It will be a fantastic opportunity to take part in a range of activities that can be used with young people. The course will help you adapt and expand these ideas to meet the needs of your groups. The course is free to attend.

Engaging with Nature - Wild about Plants Wednesday 1st September Foxglove Covert, Catterick Garrison, Yorkshire

Explore barriers and challenges to getting young people involved in local natural places, share inspiring activities, and find out how Plantlife resources can relate to you and your groups. This day is aimed at upper Primary teachers and youth and community education workers but will be of interest to others. 'Wild about plants' is a Plantlife project that aims to engage more people with their local natural places and the wild plants that grow there. www.wildaboutplants.org.uk To book a place please contact Cristie Moore; info@johnmuiraward.org or on 0845 458 2910.

18th May 2010

A new UK Government took office on 11 May so until new Government policy is agreed the Regional Coordinator role with Government Office North East is on hold. The site will be updated with further news etc but no events/meetings etc will take place that were coordinated by NESPSS.

12th May 2010

One World Network are delivering a training session on developing a global dimension to SEAL (social,emotional aspects of learning) on Wed 23rd June. Click on links for flyer and booking form

4th May 2010

TDA have produced a new report highlighting how extended services can enhance sustainable development activity in schools.

26th April 2010

ATLAS are running an event for secondary school staff "Developing global citizens & delivering community cohesion - the KS3 curriculum and cross curriculum dimensions" at Marriott Hotel, Metrocentre 19th May 12.30 � 15.30. Download further information and the booking form.

20th April 2010

Following the successful event in Tees Valley on 29th March please download some suggested lesson activities linked to the travel and traffic doorway produced by Nick Butler (Darlington) and Joanne Taylor(Hartlepool)

19th April 2010

The key note presentations from the LA Corporate Strategy event held in Newcastle on 22nd March are available to download from the Corporate Approaches page of this site

31st March 2010

Schools are being urged to buy seasonal food and get more pupils to walk and cycle as part of a drive to reduce their carbon footprint. Schools Minister Diana Johnson today encouraged schools to �get green� as a study shows that sustainable schools can raise attainment levels and improve behaviour. The Government�s new carbon management strategy for the schools sector, published today, also sets an ambitious target to cut current emissions from energy use by 53 per cent by 2020 � helping schools to tackle climate change while at the same time saving money.

Under the new strategy, Climate Change and Schools, there will be an expectation for schools, local authorities and Government to work together to reduce carbon emissions through: * cutting energy consumption � e.g. schools making sure they switch off lights and electrical equipment and by improving school buildings to make them more energy efficient * reducing emissions on journeys to and from schools � e.g. by walking or cycling to school or using more efficient school buses * greener procurement � e.g. buying seasonal food and recycled goods. Launching the strategy Schools Minister Diana Johnson said: We all have to play our part if we want schools to be sustainable and we have already made big strides towards cutting schools� carbon emissions. We are building new, greener schools � backed by our unprecedented capital investment. But it�s also about getting existing schools to do more to reduce their carbon footprint. Schools need to think �green� � that might mean choosing energy efficient computer equipment, getting more pupils and staff to cycle rather than drive, or by improving insulation and upgrading their boiler.

The announcement comes as work from Bath University shows that making schools sustainable can: * raise attainment levels by getting young people more engaged in their studies by creating a better learning environment * improve pupils� motivation, behaviour and well-being * promote healthy school environments and lifestyles * improve community cohesion by creating a greater sense of pride in the school. Currently, the school sector is responsible for 15 per cent of public sector carbon emissions � just under 2 per cent of the UK total and roughly the same as all the energy and transport emission of Manchester, Newcastle and Bristol combined. Earlier this year Schools Secretary Ed Balls announced that schools would be getting digital 'energy display meters' to help to reduce their carbon footprint and cut bills by up to �3,000 a year

25th March 2010

Today is your last day to book for the Tees Valley Sustainable Schools conference happening on Monday in Middlesbrough Teaching & Learning Centre (12-4.30pm). It includes keynotes from Lezsek Ivaskow from Ofsted and Ian Taylor from DCSF along with workshops from practitoners from across Tees Valley and the region. To book contact Andrea Carling andrea.carling@groundwork.org.uk

24th March 2010

Following the event at SLCNE I've put together a short slide show of some of the photo's (� Chris Auld photography). Click here to download.

23rd March 2010

The Climate Change Schools Project was one of the winners at the Evening Chronicle Environment Awards. For more information visit their website.

15th March 2010

Well done to everyone involved in the Sustainable Schools event held as part of the Science Weekend at the Alnwick Garden on 13th & 14th March. Thanks to all those people who provided their expertise for the different doorway exhibitions.

10th March 2010

Following the successful first Sustainable Schools Fayre at the Science Learning Centre in Durham last night a number of people asked for the plenary powerpoint. Many thanks to all those who organised the event, those who presented the workshops and staffed the marketplace and of course all the delegates.

3rd March 2010

Using funds from DCSF NESPSS & Government Office North East are coordinating three Sustainable Schools events across the region which have been developed by a range of partners. The flyer highlighting all three events is available to download. Events are taking place on 9th March, 13th&14th March and 29th March.

Students from Bydales School in Marske produced individual flyers. An example of one can be viewed here.

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