Sustainable Schools Project

Overview

In the period 2004-2007, Epping Forest Field Centre delivered the Sustainable Schools Project to primary pupils (aged 8-10 years) from three partner schools in Newham. A total of 514 pupils took part in this Learning for Sustainability project over three years, which introduced participants to the core concepts of sustainability through structured hands-on activities both within Epping Forest and at partner schools.

Project aims

• To address the imbalance of access and promote children's stewardship of their school and home environment, by enhancing their environmental understanding.
• To provide an effective and integrated programme addressing education for sustainability, with repeat visits reinforcing learning. Issues such as recycling, energy consumption, conservation and stewardship, as well as team-building activities to raise self-esteem were tackled.
• To significantly change attitudes and behaviour, producing benefits for the schools and their communities.

Project outcomes

• Enhanced the knowledge and understanding of sustainability issues for 514 pupils in 2,754 teaching days across three years.

• 58 school staff from three partner schools were involved in the Project.

• Developed and delivered a new Learning for Sustainability programme and material for school years 5 and 6.

• Formed partnerships with three Newham schools: Carpenter's, Gallions and Tollgate, as well as Newham Council, City of London and University of East London.

Lasting impacts of the Project

As a result of the Sustainable Schools Project Epping Forest Field Centre have:

• Sustained ongoing links with partner schools: pupils have visited Epping Forest on a number of occasions for other sustainability courses (see below).

• Developed and delivered a stand-alone Learning for Sustainability day, which has run since 2007.

• Developed a new 'Lessons from Nature' programme as an extension of the learning from the Sustainable Schools Project. This was our pilot scheme funded by the Ernest Cook Trust and is being progressed with EU funding that will enable us to work with EU partners.

• Developed a 'Discovering Epping Forest' programme involving other learning providers and funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), that is based on the delivery model designed for the Sustainable Schools Project.

Details of subsequent visits to Epping Forest Field Centre by partner schools