The Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) recognises that schools have a fundamental role in ensuring the UK’s sustainable future and in preparing children for a lifetime of sustainable living. The LSSF, with practical workshops and regular e-bulletins, is a real opportunity for schools to voice their opinions and experiences of sustainability in school life and share best practice. Schools will have the opportunity to listen to and engage with leading experts in their field and to access ideas, support and resources to facilitate and enable them to make positive changes when back in school.
London school teachers, governors, grounds staff, London Borough Officers, representatives from non-governmental organisations and others are encouraged to join and contribute to the Forum.
If you have not already registered your interest in this exciting Forum and would like to know more, please contact Verity Zurita, Sustainable Schools Officer at GOL, details below.
To read more about the past Forum Workshops, and to download presentations and Workshop Reports, please go to each event’s individual page (link on the left hand side).
The Department for Children, Schools and Families: Sustainable Schools strategy
The Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) Sustainable Schools strategy aims to empower children to lead sustainable lives by teaching them the skills and behaviours needed to become part of the solution to the world’s big challenges, rather than part of the problem.
Sustainable Schools are about helping young people and improving the communities and environments in which they live. By becoming sustainable, a school can save money, improve the health, fitness and emotional well being of its pupils, and contribute to local social and environmental goals.
To find out more about how you and your school can get involved, follow the link below.
London Sustainable Schools Forum E Bulletin
The London Sustainable Schools Forum E Bulletin is a bi-monthly bulletin to Forum members.
Past editions of the E Bulletin are now available to download, with resources, funding opportunities, events, school perspectives and ideas and a digest of Sustainable Schools news relevant to London schools.
'Creating Sustainable Schools: A Case Study Guide'' is now available to download
The Guide, launched at the first London Sustainable Schools Forum Workshop in October 2007, is an inspirational resource containing 20 case studies, two or three against each of the 8 Doorways of the DCSF National Framework, and includes examples from inner and outer London, primary and secondary schools and schools at various stages on the path to becoming sustainable. It is intended for a wide audience including teachers, school governors, local authority officers and schools grounds managers. Please click on the link near the bottom of the page to download your copy.
New publication - Towards Whole School Sustainability: A View From London Schools
In response to a commonly expressed challenge for London schools, GOL has launched a publication, which sets out to provide the enthusiastic individual or 'lone zealot' in a school with ideas for engaging the whole school community to work towards becoming a sustainable school.
It includes real examples from London schools; suggestions and tips on how to persuade different stakeholder groups, from pupils to senior management; transferable ideas to raise awareness and support across the school and also to create a sense of joint ownership and involvement. It also has a final section full of links and resources organised by the 8 Doorways of the National Framework and ideas of where to go next.
It is meant to be adaptable to readers' needs and the time they have available; each section includes a helpful summary of 'ideas for action'.
Towards Whole School Sustainability: A View From London Schools was officially launched by Commissioner Ann Finlayson from the UK's Sustainable Development Commission, at the fifth event of the London Sustainable Schools Forum on 13th October 2008.
