Supporting Learning for Sustainability in Schools

June 2017

We provide education initiatives for children, young people and educators which focus on environmental issues to make Scotland cleaner, greener and more sustainable. All our education initiatives are designed to contribute to the delivery of the five key priorities in the National Performance Framework.

For more than 20 years, we have been managing the international Eco-Schools programme in Scotland, engaging with 98.5% of our schools, and supported with funding from the Scottish Government. Eco-Schools is the largest environmental education programme in the world and is run by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE). It is active in 64 countries. In 2016 we received an award from FEE which recognised our work to make Eco-Schools an outstanding international success. In March this year, we became one of the first Eco-Schools programmes world-wide to award 2,000 schools with an Eco-Schools Green Flag – the top award. Through Eco-Schools, achievement and attainment is enhanced through a progressive and coherent experience for all learners.

We recognise the strategic importance of the Sustainable Development Goals and seek to play an active role in supporting these. We have refreshed our Eco-Schools programme to provide schools with a framework for action towards the Sustainable Development Goals, whilst also encouraging a whole school and wider community approach.

1st country to fully integrate Learning

for Sustainability and the 17 UN

Sustainable Development Goals.

840,599children and young

people benefiting from Eco-Schools

98.5%Scottish schools

registered for Eco-Schools

64,103teachers and

educators engaged in Eco-Schools

Deputy First Minister, John Swinney MSP

E C O - S C H O O L SIS A FANTASTIC INITIATIVE THAT LIES AT THE HEART OF DEMONSTRATING THE ELEMENTS OF OUR CURRICULUM

WHICH ARE SO IMPORTANT TO ENSURE YOUNG PEOPLE ARE EQUIPPED FOR THE MODERN WORLD.

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Supporting Learning for Sustainability in schools

To complement the Eco-Schools programme, we provide educators with professional skills and knowledge through our professional learning programmes. These are designed to develop practice in Learning for Sustainability whilst also supporting the skills building, participation, decision-making and collaborative action of pupils on sustainability issues. They create enriched learning experiences fully linked to Curriculum for Excellence allowing collaboration and learning with peers and businesses.

You can find out much more about Eco-Schools Scotland, our projects and professional learning programmes at www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/sde

We ask MSPs to:

Become advocates of our work and help raise the profile of the support we provide to educators and communities to ensure our young people become skilled global citizens.

Support the work of local Eco-Schools and raise the issue of the wider impacts of environmental education in the Scottish Parliament.

Energy, Enterprise and Environment Professional Learning Programme

The professional learning programme has helped me get to grips with some pretty complex ideas in science and sustainability. I am much more confident now.

Teacher, Prestonfield Primary School.

Young Food EntrepreneursA project exploring food, sustainability and enterprise

Our S2 nurturing students took part in the Young Food Entrepreneurs project. Involvement in the project has increased my knowledge of sustainable food production and I am more confident about using approaches to Learning for Sustainability in my practice. We really enjoyed working with the Young Food Entrepreneurs team this session and are happy to have the opportunity to participate in the project again.

Teacher, Clyde Valley High School.

Young Reporters ScotlandAn activity to encourage environmental journalism

When you ask people about environmental issues, normally the first thing that comes to mind is global warming and pollution. But, no one really talks about food waste, something which we all contribute to and something which affects us. Food waste is an important issue, and I hope my article encourages people to be aware of how much food they waste and make changes to reduce it.

Amanda Amaeshi, age 12, Dollar Academy.

Amanda came first in her category of our Young Reporters Scotland competition, and went on to win her age group in the international Young Reporters for the Environment awards.

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Our educational activities and projects include:

Keep Scotland Beautiful is the charity that campaigns, acts and educates on a range of local, national and global environmental issues to change behaviour and improve the quality of people’s lives and the places they care for. We are committed to making Scotland clean, green and more sustainable.

T: 01786 471333 E: info@keepscotlandbeautiful.org

facebook.com/KSBScotland @KSBScotland

Keep Scotland Beautiful is a registered Scottish charity. Number SC030332. Copyright © Keep Scotland Beautiful 2017. All rights reserved.

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