1:54pm Wednesday 4th June 2008
THE search is on for the leading climate change-friendly schools in the North-East.
Schools are being invited to join the ground-breaking Climate Change Schools Project (CCSP), which will encourage their efforts to embrace teaching and learning about climate change.
Initially, 48 Climate Change Lead Schools will be chosen as part of a pilot project, each of which will be supported as they bring the subject to life for their young people.
The project ultimately aims to put climate change at the heart of not only North-East schools, but also the national curriculum, and thereby influencing Government education policy.
Those behind the project include Science Learning Centre North-East, which is part of Durham University, the Environment Agency, Northumbria Regional Flood Defence Committee, the North-East Strategic Partnership for Sustainable Schools and One World Network North-East.
The Association of North- East Councils is also supporting the project, which it has included among its key recommendations to local authorities to tackle climate change.
Teachers of key stages two and three (ages 11 to 14) are being asked to register an interest, after which the 48 will be selected. Expressions of interest close on July 11. One school that has been involved in developing materials for the pilot scheme is Bydales School, in Marske, east Cleveland.
The school has a strong commitment to teaching environmental subjects and assistant headteacher Seana Rice said: "Climate change is one of the most significant future challenges for young people.
"Becoming a Lead School will help play a special part in securing the future of our young people at Bydales.
"The resources available through the CCSP can help pupils understand the impact of human activity, and by the school modelling good practice, it can be a place where sustainable living and working is demonstrated."
The school has carried out some work, including running a wind turbine, operating a hydrogen fuel cell, staging technology weeks with an emphasis on sustainable technologies and creating a wetland area in the grounds.
Students have also created a series of fashions based on recycled fleece and launched a campaign to make the area a no plastic bag zone. There are also plans to create an allotment to teach students about sustainable food.
Another school which has led the way in developing Lead Schools materials is Ovingham Church of England First School, in the Tyne Valley, where deputy headteacher Andy Hudson said: "We wanted to be part of this project to help put climate change at the heart of our school's teaching and learning."
Selected pilot Lead Schools will be given access to materials designed to encourage their students to show creativity when it comes to addressing climate change.
They will also be supported through professional development courses and the project's collaborating partners.
* To find out more about the scheme, contact project officer Dr Krista McKinzey at krista.mckinzey@durham.ac.uk
The deadline for schools to express an interest is July 11.
Go to climatechangeschools.org.uk
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