10 priority areas to improve climate education
The government's recent Curriculum and Assessment Review report has shared 10 priority areas to improve climate education in schools.
Lead by the University of Reading, more than 40 professional bodies and teaching organisations shared their insights, including EngineeringUK.
While the curriculum review is a welcome step, real change will require coordinated support across the whole education system. The review urges every school to meet ambitions to appoint a dedicated Sustainability Lead, and for Ofsted to incorporate schools' sustainability actions into their inspections.
The 10 priority areas highlighted in the report are:
- quality-controlling classroom resources – making sure materials are accurate, up to date and adaptable
- reforming exam specifications – ensuring climate and nature are examined across multiple subjects
- expanding enrichment opportunities – making sure all students have equal access to climate-related activities outside the classroom
- supporting teachers – better training and resources across all subjects, including guidance on handling controversial issues in the classroom
- defining essential content – making the basics of climate change causes, consequences and solutions compulsory for every student
- keeping the focus on solutions – more emphasis on renewable energy, nature restoration and green careers in lessons, training and exams
- improving coherence and sequencing – clearer links between subjects and year groups to avoid repetition and build on prior learning
- embedding green skills – weaving data, digital and critical thinking skills into climate and nature teaching across all subjects
- strengthening the wider community – closer working between publishers, subject experts, industry and young people
- applying a climate lens to every subject – bringing climate and nature into subjects beyond the obvious ones, and ensuring it is covered in teacher training from the start
The report ends by setting out a vision for what successful reform of the education system would look like by 2031.
Get support to improve climate education in your school
Through Climate Schools Programme, EUK Education supports students to explore solutions to tackling climate change. Use our free lesson plans, practical sessions and activities to discover how engineering and technology careers create climate solutions.
