WWF's work with schools
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WWF’s 'Learning for Sustainability' programme strives to ensure that:
- sustainable development and the concept of sustainable schools feature in government policy as a priority for education
- education professionals having the training, resources and remit to deliver education for sustainable development (ESD)
- all schools have an active plan for working towards ESD.
The key components of our work are outlined in the below:
Learning networks
For the past four years, WWF has sponsored a unique and innovative ESD conference for teachers and ESD practitioners within schools. Building on the success of previous conferences, the planned 2007 conference will endeaver to widen the participation of teachers with an ESD interest or remit and to build support for an evolving community practice. For more information please contact Karen Gates kgates@wwf.org.uk or Anna Birney abirney@wwf.org.uk. Alternatively, click on Learning for Sustainability 2007 to find out more.
Teaching and learning
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WWF is developing a range of tools and resources, including:
- a dedicated Teaching and learning area on the wwflearning website
- topic planning guides designed to help you create innovative and effective materials and approaches to ESD [LINK]
- online 'topic boxes on key sustainability themes (see, for example, the Consumption topic box
- online pupil discussions designed to involve learners in developing creative ways to make their school more sustainable (see, for example, The very hungry school.
For further information, please contact Cherry Duggan cduggan@wwf.org.uk or Pat Kendell pkendell@wwf.org.uk.
Professional development
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WWF has developed two online courses, one offering an introduction to ESD and the other looking at ESD and social leadership. WWF is is also working with London South Bank University on the Partners in Change initial teacher training programme. Lessons and case studies from this programme are due to be published in summer 2006. The progress of newly qualified teachers from the programme will also be tracked. For further information, contact Liz Jackson ljackson@wwf.org.uk.
Whole school community project
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Over the last two years, WWF has been working with a group of schools across the UK to explore ESD. Underpinning this work has been Pathways: A development framework for school sustainability. It offers a process, activities and tools to bring the whole school community together in order to explore their understanding of sustainability and ESD, recognise past achievements, plan future work and monitor their progress. Participating schools have also benefited from training and networking. For more information about our whole school community work, visit the Pathways to Change area of this site.