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Doorways to sustainability
The Sustainable Schools strategy is made up of eight sustainability ‘doorways’. Each plays a role in the curriculum and campus, but can also have a big impact on the whole community.
Food and drink
An unhealthy diet contributes to low concentration and performance as well as to obesity and poor health.
A school that buys healthy, ethically sourced food can offer nutritional benefits; improve pupils’ understanding of food and where it comes from; protect the environment and support local producers and suppliers.
Energy and water
Eco-efficiency measures can help schools reduce their environmental impact. By reducing the amount of energy and water they use schools can make real cost savings and money can be channelled back into the school.
Sustainable Schools can showcase energy efficiency, renewable energy use and water conservation to pupils and the whole community.
Travel and traffic
During term-time, cars on the school run account for 16 per cent of early morning traffic and a measurable increase in pollution near schools. Being driven to school reduces the amount of exercise a child gets and makes them less road safety aware.
Car sharing and public transport can help with congestion and pollution; while walking or cycling boost fitness, increase concentration and help children form positive habits for life.
By March 2007, 14,063 schools in England (56 per cent) had an approved Travel to School action plan in place. It’s hoped that all schools will have a travel plan by March 2010.
Purchasing and waste
By adopting a ‘reduce, reuse and recycle’ approach, and by using local goods and services of high environmental standards, schools can reduce costs and support ethical markets in their communities.
Buildings and grounds
A well designed and cared for school provides an excellent teaching and learning resource for staff and pupils.
Sustainable design principles, technologies, interior furnishings and environmental management not only bring physical benefits for a school, they provide working examples of sustainable living that can inspire teachers and children.
Inclusion and participation
Schools can promote community cohesion by creating an inclusive, welcoming atmosphere that values everyone’s participation and contribution, and challenges prejudice and injustice. Pupils are instilled with a long-lasting respect for human rights, freedoms, cultures and creative expression.
Local well-being
With their central locations, facilities and extensive networks schools can act as hubs of learning and catalysts for change in their local communities. Focusing on local challenges and finding solutions to them gives pupils the opportunity to learn and develop real-world skills and helps to strengthen local relationships.
Global dimension
Growing interdependence between countries changes the way we view our world, including our own culture. Schools can respond by developing a responsible, international outlook among their pupils on global challenges such as poverty and climate change.
