Latest News

29th November 2006

David Miliband, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, announced a Year of Food and Farming on 29 November. Starting in September 2007, the Year of Food and Farming is an industry-led initiative aimed at helping children and young people learn more about how food is grown and produced and how it reaches the consumer. It will also make an important contribution to delivering the DfES Learning Outside the Classroom Manifesto and help children learn more about: what happens on a farm & what life is like in the countryside how to prepare or cook food what good nutrition means and how that can contribute to a healthier lifestyle what the countryside can offer in terms of leisure, sports and employment. The Year is supported by the Department for Education and Skills (DfES), Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), and the Department of Health. For further information visit the Defra website.

27th November 2006

The Department for Transport has launched a grant scheme for state-funded primary schools. Grants of £1 000 a year for three years are available to set up walking buses. Smaller grants of £500 are also available for other school-based walking initiatives. For further information and guidance visit the Department for Transport website.

24th November 2006

DfES is urging schools to invest in energy and water saving technology as part of a £375 million advance cash boost. Headteachers and every local authority in England are being encouraged to cut utility bills prioritising sustainable development measures with this funding. To support the funding, DfES has just published its ‘Top Ten Tips’ to create ‘Sustainable Schools’. It promotes simple measures to slash school utility bills by investing in everything from lagging pipes and energy efficient lighting to upgrading heating controls. It also suggests installing renewable energy systems, like wind turbines and solar heating. Schools represent approximately 15 per cent of public sector greenhouse gas emissions and two per cent of the UK total. This amounts to five million tonnes of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere each year from gas and electricity use within schools. Another five millions tonnes is attributed to activities like transport to and from school and the manufacture of school equipment and consumables. The capital is being advanced by re-allocating funds from programmes where there have been some delays, including Building Schools for the Future which aims to rebuild and renew every secondary school in England within 15 years.

Schools Minister, Jim Knight said: “We want schools to be fit for the 21st century. By investing in energy and water conservation measures, schools can spend more on teaching equipment and staff - that’s why we are asking local authorities to prioritise sustainable improvements in their education facilities. We want schools to lead their communities in cutting carbon dioxide emissions and reducing demand on finite natural resources.

22nd November 2006

NESPSS had the opportunity to highlight its work to Jim Knight MP Minister for Schools while at a visit to The EWE Centre this week. He has responsibilities including the Building Schools for the Future programme and the Manifesto for Learning Outside the Classroom. He was joined by representatives from Durham County Council and GONE.

Photo from Left: Jim Knight MP, Diane White Headteacher Esh Winning Primary School, Dave Ford Chief Inspector Durham County Council, Mike Tones Champion for Learning Outside the Classroom and Sustainable Schools.

15th November 2006

Schools can apply for funding to the Department of Trade and Industry’s Low Carbon Buildings Programme is a DTI project which will provide grants for microgeneration technologies to householders, community organisations, schools, the public and not for profit sector and private businesses. The Government announced an additional £50m funding for the Low Carbon Buildings Programme in Budget 06 (bringing total funding up to £80m). This additional £50m is solely for public sector projects and should be open by the end November.

31st October 2006

The Clowbeck Eco Centre in Croft on Tees, on the outskirts of Darlington are looking for a part time Administrator to support their work at their straw bale Education Centre. For more information on the work of the Centre visit www.clowbeckecocentre.co.uk . To speak to someone about the role contact Brigid Press or Bill Chaytor at info@clowbeckecocentre.co.uk or call 01325 721778.

12th October 2006

Tees Valley Wildlife Trust is hosting two day first aid training in November focussed on managing incidents away from your base. Click here to read more and to book.

10th October 2006

On November 9th 2006 One World Network North East is running a FREE training session for Building Effective Partnerships, in schools which are at the stage of having been to visit their partner school in Africa, Asia or Latin America at The EWE Centre. The attached flyer could be sent to any schools you know that are at this stage of school links. (It has already been sent out by the British Council and this is a reminder.) If you are in touch with any schools, your personal contact could help us to publicise this session. There are only 25 places so it is essential that schools book their place by contacting The EWE Centre.

6th October 2006

The S3 self evaluation tool for sustainable schools has just been launched in pdf format. Click here to visit the Sustainable Schools Framework tools page to view it. A word version will be available soon. This is good, encourage schools you work with to use it.

3rd October 2006

Click here to view the details of a conference in Birmingham at the Tide~ Centre, 'Schools and Sustainable Development ... in a Changing Climate'. Sustainability West Midlands are engaged in lots of interesting activity, Tide~ also produce some good resources produced by teachers for teachers.

August - September 06 archive news

'Sustainable development is a non-negotiable for children's wellbeing' - The Children's Plan 2007

Link to Sustainable Schools on Teachernet

Copyright: NESPSS 2006

Governed by North East Environment Network (NEEN)

Registered Charity Number: 1041301

Registered Company Limited by Guarantee No: 2963142