To all working in early years, children’s services, schools, further and higher education – Here is the open letter that the new Secretary of State for Education sent out last week. In it she says that she is “determined to drive change together”. You can subscribe to receive all such communications at the open letter link.
There will be a live event with the Secretary of State at 4pm on Tuesday 16 July where she will share more about her vision for the education system. There will also be a chance for you to share your views and ask questions in the live chat.
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Assuring Quality – The UK Quality Code for Higher Education has now been published including references to ESD and sustainability action. The new Code supplements the 2021 Guidance on Education for Sustainable Development that provides advice and support on curriculum design, as well as teaching, learning and assessment approaches. For the first time, the code refers to sustainability as a key component of quality education provision. EAUC has a comment or two.
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Long-term Thinking – The FED has launched its National Education Report – based on a large-scale consultation of the English education system. The FED says that “It comes at a crucial time for the English education system, and importantly provides the missing parts of the ‘strategic jigsaw’ so that the new Government can plan in a long-term manner.” The FED says that its research has shown that the English Education system is not designed to plan in the long-term and that this must change. Put simply, if Government do not adopt long-term planning mechanisms and approaches it cannot hope to be successful in these aims.
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Making the Grade – Over the election period, Teach the Future graded over 286 political candidates on their climate education and school decarbonisation pledges (17 candidates graded were elected as MPs. Over 750 supporters emailed their candidate(s) with the template asking them to ‘speak-up for climate friendly schools’ with 3,222 adding their name to the pledge: ‘I agree: schools need investment NOW’. They Supported young people to ask their local candidates about their commitment to climate action and educational reform, and attended The Wildlife Trusts’ Big Nature and Climate Debate to hear the five major parties’ position on climate and environmental action.
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National Education Nature Park – Here’s a reminder of the Nature Park’s forthcoming webinars:
July 17th End of year National Education Nature Park celebration. This is aimed at everyone, but especially school staff already involved or interested in joining the Nature park. It’s on Wednesday July 17th 16.15 to 16.45. Register now to hear from some of the staff and young people taking part.
July 18th Evidencing biodiversity gains through the National Education Nature Park. This is aimed at those in the ecology / biodiversity / nature sectors. It’s on Thursday July 18th at 16:15. Register now to hear more about plans for the research, onward data sharing, and how your organisation might engage with or benefit from this scheme.
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Advanced Study – A self-paced online course from United Nations University Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability is said to break down the science of climate change and net zero into easy-to-understand terms, while highlighting practical steps that individuals can take for climate action.
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Global Survey – Here is a summary of UNESCO’s Transforming Education Towards SDG 4, Report of a global survey on country actions to transform education.
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Congratulations Beth Christie – Learning for Sustainability Scotland has a new Director: Dr Beth Christie who is a Senior Lecturer in Education in the Outdoor and Environmental Education Section at the Moray House School of Education and Sport, University of Edinburgh and is Programme Director for the MSc Learning for Sustainability. She has worked with Learning for Sustainability Scotland for many years; most recently as Academic Lead for Learning for a Sustainable Future and Learning for a Sustainable Future: Live at COP, the two Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) developed in partnership with the University of Edinburgh and The British Council.
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NAEE 2024 AGM – This is normally held in late November. This year, members are being consulted about which of three options they favour: 6pm on Thursday 28th November; 10am on Friday 29th November; or 10am on Saturday 30th November. Responses please to info@naee.org.uk by July 25th
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Counting Butterflies – Butterflies are indicators of the health of our natural environment, and Butterfly Conservation is calling on people and schools across the UK to take part in this year’s Big Butterfly Count (12 July – 4 August) and help scientists understand how climate change is affecting butterflies. After analysing 50 years of data, researchers have discovered a clear northward spread for many species, including common garden favourites such as Peacock, Comma and Holly Blue, as a result of climate change creating warmer habitats for them to survive in. Another species on the move is the Jersey Tiger. Previously found only in south-west England, the striking day-flying moth has in recent years been spotted as far north as central London, gaining its spot in the Big Butterfly Count in 2021. And at the other end of the scale, species such as the Scotch Argus are retreating northwards within Scotland to stay in the cooler climes this butterfly prefers.
Meanwhile, The Times has a report on Butterflies going “seriously awol” in Britain’s dreary summer.
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Wildcat Litters – The first litter of kittens born outside of captivity was reported this month. In 2023, roughly 20 individuals were released into the Cairngorms National Park in Scotland for the first time, marking the first ever official release of a predatory mammal in the UK. This is also the first time that the reintroduced population has successfully reproduced in the wild. Scottish wildcats have teetered on the brink of national extinction owing to habitat loss, fragmentation, and most problematically through interbreeding with domestic cats, which began in the 1950s after 2000 years of isolation. The common house cat is a domesticated variant of the African wildcat, so interbreeding with Scottish wildcats leads to ‘genetic swamping’, and the severe dilution of genetically distinct characteristics of the Scottish species. Testing is still needed to see if they are purebreds, but encouragingly the kittens are looking healthy and strong. You can read more here.
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Foulshaw Moss ospreys – The Cumbria Wildlife Trust has released the first episode of its new podcast, presented by its Head of Nature Reserves. This features the Foulshaw Moss ospreys, with insight from the Reserves Team and volunteers. Please send your thoughts to email@cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk
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No Sex Please – Some animals can have offspring without a mate says Focus on Wildlife.
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Lawfare in the North Sea – Oceana UK, an international organization dedicated to marine conservation and focusing on promoting ocean conservation through science-based policies and advocacy efforts, have launched a legal challenge against the British Government over the issuance of new oil and gas licenses in the North Sea. Oceana say that the Government’s decision to issue 82 licenses between October 2023 and May 2024 was unlawful because it did not consider the environmental impacts, particularly on Marine Protected Areas. They hope that, if successful, the case will halt further developments that threaten marine biodiversity and push for adherence to environmental protection standards. You can learn more here.
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North India Thinking – Here’s a link to Neil Kitching’s latest blog based on his recent trip to North India which got him thinking about the importance of ‘developing’ countries such as India to our Earth’s future: optimism, or pessimism asks Neil. Read on. Please email Neil at carbonchoices@gmail.com if you want to subscribe or to add friends to his occasional mailing list.