Epping Forest

In the Heart of Ancient Woodland

Projects and Partnerships

Sustainable Schools

Sustainable Schools is a partnership between Epping Forest Field Centre and selected Newham Schools , developing and delivering Education for Sustainable Development. The project is generously supported by the Bridge House Trust.
At Epping Forest Field Centre, we have been very lucky to obtain funding from the Bridge House Trust for a project to research, pilot and grow sustainable and inspirational environmental education partnerships with London Schools.

We received the funding in September 2004, and in November 2004 successfully identified 3 partner schools in the London Borough of Newham.

They are:

• Gallions Primary School
• Carpenters Primary School
• Tollgate Primary School

We will be working with these schools to increase the children’s understanding of the concepts of Sustainable Development as well as increasing the teachers’ and our own knowledge of delivering Education for Sustainable Development as well the impact that a programme of outdoor ESD has on the attainment and understanding of a group of children.

Sustainable development

Sustainable Development itself is a tricky concept to pin down! We have spent a lot of time on researching concepts and ways of teaching, and have come up with our own working definition of Sustainable Development :

Meeting the needs of the present population, without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, or threatening the wider biotic community.

ESD

To develop awareness, understanding and respect for the environment in which they live and secure their commitment to sustainable development at personal, local, national and global level.
(QCA 1999)

Within the FSC, we all know and appreciate the importance of high quality Environmental Education in influencing tomorrow’s decision makers. However, particularly in the London area that Epping Forest serves, many sections of the local school population are not given the opportunities to experience hands-on fieldwork due to misconception about undertaking fieldwork and a lack of funds.

Although to many of us, it may seem common sense to apply ESD concepts to all our decision making, experience tells us that delivering Education for Sustainable Development to all ages makes a significant difference to people’s views. We believe that through these programmes and events, we can begin to influence those around us to create better, more sustainable communities for all.