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Learning for Sustainability

1019892 Wildlife Explorers at RSPB Titchwell Reserve

From early years to secondary level, children's well-being is nurtured by bringing them into frequent contact with the natural world, helping them to develop the values, knowledge and understanding that underpin sustainable lifestyles.

Part of this involves fostering an ethos of care for the natural environment, and ensures today's conservation efforts remain sustainable.

The RSPB has been actively involved with the National Framework for Sustainable Schools, which was launched in May 2006. While welcoming most, if not all, of the proposed approaches (or doorways) for schools to sustainability within the wider context of RSPB policy objectives, we remain convinced that the framework is critically flawed by the absence of any overt linkages to the natural environment.

The addition of biodiversity as a cross-cutting theme in April 2007 has so far failed to fully address this. However, we welcome the previous joint-working between Defra and the Department for Children, Schools and Families as part of the England Biodiversity Strategy to begin to rectify the situation (including the download on this page).

Having previously chaired the Education and Public Understanding Strategic Implementation Group of the England Biodiversity Strategy for a number of years, the RSPB continues to be actively involved with the group. We are currently lead delivery partner for the group's 2010 key deliverable relating to children and young people within formal education.

The RSPB has also closely supported the transition of the former Council for Environmental Education (CEE) to SEEd (Sustainability and Environmental Education), and maintains a role on SEEd's policy advisory board.

Last modified: 11 August 2009

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Downloads

  • Top Tips for schools to engage with biodiversity (1.4Mb)
    Government guidance for schools in England on a variety of ways to learn in, about and for the natural environment - and the benefits to schools, teachers and pupils (DCSF, March 2010)
  • Support available for sustainable schools (801Kb)
    As part of a consortium of environment, education, sustainable development, international development and children's charities, we are encouraging schools to continue to put the environment and sustainability at the heart of what they do - despite the government's Sustainable Schools strategy being cut. This letter outlines the resources and support available and the benefits of a sustainable schools approach.