- NAEE’s latest round-up of news
- News and in the papers
- News about schools, Further Education, Highter Education and Initial/Teacher Education
- Employment opportunities
- And to it wrap up…
- Sharing news and contact details
Here is NAEE’s latest round-up of news…
Walk Under Trees with LEEF in London
Poppy tells us that LEEF (London Environmental Educators Forum) has just set up the event page for a ‘Walk Under Trees’ that she is organising on Sat 26 April in Springfield Park, Hackney.
It is free for LEEF and NAEE members and you can register your interest here.
News, in the papers and new resources
A new four-lane highway cutting through tens of thousands of acres of protected Amazon rainforest is being built for COP30 climate summit in the Brazilian city of Belém BBC reports.
The Brazilian president and environment minister say this will be a historic summit because it is “a COP in the Amazon, not a COP about the Amazon” but Prof Sardinha says that while these conversations will happen “at a very high level, among business people and government officials”, those living in the Amazon are “not being heard”.
The impacts of building such a highway show the complex trade-offs between environmental, social and economical dimensions and raises the question of who are sustainable initiatives for?
Read more about it here
Kemi Badenoch has dropped the conservative’s parties commitment to Net Zero. Last Tuesday, the Tory leader gave a speech stating that the target was ‘impossible’.
Whilst it could be said there is some truth to Badenoch’s speech, for example that the transition to net zero could disproportionately affect working-class communities and businesses, it arguably instead calls for us to not back down from reducing carbon emissions, but to push for the centering of equity and fairness in our approach. Another interesting point is that Badenoch made is that: ‘Even if we hit absolute zero, we will not have net zero around the world, if other countries are not following us.’ Badenoch is not wrong, though arguably this could be attributed to deeper undercurrents at play: carbon colonialism.
Carbon colonialism is the unequal distribution of the burdens and benefits associated with addressing climate change and the transition to a low-carbon economy. This refers to not only the responsibility for historical greenhouse gases, but the power imbalances and exploitation that remain predominantly between the Global North and South today.
From a critical perspective, Kemi Badenoch’s speech perhaps raises some important questions over the legitimacy of Net Zero but differentiating from her argument, it instead is a reminder of the importance of just transition. Lucie Middlemiss et al. (2023), offer an interesting research paper on conceptualising a just transition in the UK, which can be accessed here.
News about Schools, Further Education, Higher Education and Initial/Teacher Education
Good news on the Natural History GCSE
In answer to a question from the Green Party, Catherine McKinnell MP has confirmed that the Government will be “moving ahead with a new GCSE in natural history.” The plan is to consult and finalise subject content after the independent Curriculum and Assessment Review has concluded. Find the full answer here.
Curriculum and Assessment Review – Interim Reports and announcements of upcoming Road Trips for the Shadow CAR
Curriculum and Assessment Review Interim Report Published
Whether you’re excited that climate change and environmental issues get mentioned or disappointed that this happens just once, it seems there is everything to play for. Get your copy of the interim report here
Interestingly, the Youth Shadow Curriculum and Assessment Review Interim Report was published well before and has been in the public domain a while now – it is well worth a read alongside the official one.
And in addition rom Liv Marshall, TTF Rep on the Youth Shadow Panel announcing upcoming Road Trips
‘The Shadow Curriculum and Assessment Review is hitting the road next month, and it’s super important that children and young people participate in their regional roadshow! We need to make sure that climate and nature education is at the forefront of the conversations held at these fun and interactive workshops, and to do this, we need your help. Here’s some information about the roadshow workshops:
- Online – 31st of March from 6pm-7pm, open to those aged 11-20 (under 13s with a parent/guardian registering on their behalf) – sign up here!
- Online – 5th of April from 11am-12pm, open to those aged 11-20 (under 13s with a parent/guardian registering on their behalf) – sign up here!
The events will be youth-led and welcoming, with a quiet space and a prayer room accessible and free pizza for the in-person roadshow workshops.
Please sign up to a workshop and support young people to attend to ensure we get climate and nature education included in the Shadow Curriculum and Assessment review report!
I’ll be at the London and Bristol events so hope to see you there!
PS. Help promote the roadshow using the Youth Shadow Panel’s comms kit.’
How to get Permaculture into every school in England
There is a free live event on March 27, 2025, at 12:30 PM (Online) to learn how you can help bring Permaculture Design into every school in England.
With new government sustainability requirements for schools, now is the time to take action! This event is perfect for educators, sustainability leads, and our wider community who want to make a real impact.
What You’ll Gain:
✅ Expert insights on climate action in schools
✅ Actionable strategies & resources for your local school
✅ Live Q&A with education and sustainability experts
✅ Ways to support and expand this initiative in your region
Be part of the movement to empower schools with regenerative system design. Secure your spot today!
Click the link here to register.
Sustrans Big Walk and Wheel – 24th March
Sustrans Big Walk and Wheel 2025, runs from the Monday 24th March to Friday 4th April, where pupils across the UK leave their cars at home and walk, wheel, scoot and cycle to school.
An active journey to school is a healthy alternative to car journeys and it has been proven to improve students’ behaviour and concentration.
Active journeys like walking and cycling are great ways for kids to stay active, which is good for children’s physical and mental health.
Get your school involved here.
Resource on Bees by Earth Cubs
Reception and KS1 teachers can explore and use the Earth Cubs resources free. Their latest video – Bee Brilliant! – covers the importance of bees, and is tailored for 3 – 7 year olds.
Earth Cobs creates content about the environment, sustainability and climate change, inspired by Global Goals. Entertaining and educating kids with videos, bookazines, podcasts, socials and learning resources. Free to access and use in your classroom!
To use the resources and find out more, click here.
Calling on Schools: Bring Green Football’s Great Save into your classroom!
Use the power of football to inspire your class to score green goals, win prizes and take action to help tackle climate change.
Three easy ways to get involved:
In the classroom:
- Incorporate sustainability into your lessons with free worksheets for KS1, KS2 and KS3. Log your activities on the website to enter a prize draw and sore green goals for your school’s favourite football team! Download here.
Sew it to Save it
- Host a sewing workshop in your class or after-school club! Be inspired by this vide featuring Leeds Forward Patrick Bamford testing out his own sewing skills and teach students a lifelong skill while giving old sports kits a new life
Ginormous Jumble Sale
- Declutter your lost property and unused sports kit. Organise a school-wide jumble sale or swap shop to raise funds for your school. Donate non-uniform leftovers through The Salvation Army’s ‘Recycle With Michael’ scheme. Sign up here: Recycle with Michael
Find out more here.
Learning for Peace: A toolkit for peace education in primary schools
An invitation to the launch of the new improved edition of Learning for Peace. This peace education resource for primary schols is packed with activites, games and approaches that can be built into any school or classroom.
In schools when there is learning for peace, children and young people understand and communicate their emotions and needs. They get along, work and play together better in class and the playground, and they navigate the complex issues they face as they grow up and become more engaged in the world around them.
Come to the online launch event on the 8th April, 4pm to:
- Find out the four levels of peace and how they intersect and support each other to build peace in the school as a whole as well as in individuals.
- Get a taster of games and activities and how you can introduce them into your setting now.
- Hear from schools who have used this approach and the difference it has made.
- See how activities can be planned across a school curriculum.
- Hear our offer of free training to schools to embed this work,
This work has been part funded by the Sir James Reckitt Trust.
To order the book, Learning for Peace and to find out more follow the link here.
From one classroom to another; youngsters in the UK interacting with children from the Kambeba indigenous community in the heat of the Amazon as part of our last week-long initiative
It was an quite an ambitious week-long initiative for Step into the Amazon, with five schools and more than 420 Key Stage 2 Pupils and their teachers on board! It was an opportunity to challenge any misconceptions pupils have, determine the extent and location of the Amazon rainforest, discover more about this incredible biome, consider why it is so important and contemplate some of the issues facing it.
Afterwards, it zoomed in on the Kambeba indigenous community within the heart of the Amazon with whom we have developed a strong rapport over the past couple of years. They considered how they will live in in harmony with the forest and find out more about their beliefs and values.
Find out more about what this entailed here.
The cost for a virtual school workshop is £250, whilst the charge to participate in one of the scheduled virtual multi-school events is £125 (you can include as many teachers and Key Stage 2 Pupils as you can feasibly accommodate your end).
The next virtual multi-schools initiative will be held on Monday 31st March 9 – 12, and Friday 4th April 2 – 2:30.
For further details or to reserve a place, please contact Emma Espley: emma.espley@gmail.com
Schools’ Climate Action Plans – support from the National Education Nature Park
By 2025, every school will need a Climate Action Plan to lead the way in tackling climate change. This plan will integrate sustainability into every aspect of school life, empowering students to create a sustainable future, and is part of the Department for Education’s Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy.
The National Education Nature Park can help with Climate Action Plans, along with the Department for Education’s other free support programmes: Sustainability Support for Education, Climate Ambassadors and Climate Action Advisors.
What should school’s plan include?
- Boost biodiversity across England
- Transform climate education
- Improve air quality, reduce carbon emissions, and protect against extreme weather
- Promote nature-based solutions
For further information about and news from the National Education Nature Park, do follow this link.
And please note that they are holding an end of term webinar on Wednesday 26th March (16.00-16.40)where they will be sharing the latest updates from the programme, what to get involved with next term and also hearing from students at a school who are taking part.
You can register for the webinar here.
Free CPD from the Historic Towns Trust – 25th March (09.00 – 15.30) in Bath – next week!
Place Detectives through Geography and History
There are just a few places left on a free CPD opportunity for primary teachers in geography and history. The day includes a fieldwork trip for KS2 teachers in Bath with Dr Paula Owens and Professor Peter Vujakovic on Tuesday 25th March and participants will go away with a copy of the new Bath map from the Historic Towns’Trust and a pack of electronic resources linked to the national curriculum. They will also be invited to collaborate in resource creation and article writing.
Just bring a packed lunch!
Book your place here: Place Detectives through Geography and History Tickets, Tue, Mar 25, 2025 at 9:00 AM | Eventbrite
Employment, education and training opportunities
The Earth Convention webinars have been run by 5×15 and Greenbank for the last five years, and announce a new series of speakers, including Peter Frankopan, George Monbiot and Isabella Tree.
They will run the Royal Geographical Society and you can see below for more information on the sessions. There is a season ticket available for £30 for all three!
The first session in April is on the broad theme of Energy and Finance reflecting on the future of energy and the role of finance, including world-leading historian Peter Frankopan, author of The Earth Transformed; esteemed writer and researcher Mike Berners-Lee; Greenbank’s Stewardship & Engagement Lead, Sophie Lawrence; and natural capital expert Siddarth Shrikanth.
They will be hosted by 5×15 co-founder Rosie Boycott.
BUY TICKETS HERE FOR THIS SESSION
Together in Nature – Trauma-informed Nature-based Training- 24-30th March, Malvern, Worcestershire and 6-10th May, Aberdeenshire.
For people working with children, young people and adults, those interested in their personal development and are curious about the power of connection with the more than human world. The key elements of the 5 days include – holding space; storying our story with nature-based metaphors and more; attuning and resonance with each other and the natural world; creating coherence from separation. To book your space and find out more information, follow this link.
Lead Teacher in Outdoor Learning – 22nd – 22rd April, Stirling University.
Aimed at teachers who would like to develop the outdoor learning culture in their school. The two-day course aims to equip practitioners with practical skills, knowledge and understanding to embed outdoor learning across their setting or whole school community. Conducted by Learning Through Landscapes.
Step up your game as a campaigner – Online, Shelia McKechnie Foundation.
Explore various specialist workshops designed to provide advice, tools and information to help you succeed in campaigning. They work for those who are new to campaigning or who want to hone their skills in a particular specialist area. They offer a series of three-hour online workshops with a focus on active learning. To find out more information and book, check out the website here.
Some exciting job opportunities available:
Regional Coordinator – Climate Ed (North West) (Deadline 28th March). Climate Ed is a charity with provides carbon literacy to children across the UK.
Future Generations Programme Lead – Centre for Sustainable Energy (Bristol) (Deadline 7th April)
Marine Futures Internship – The Wildlife Trusts (Cumbria, Lincolnshire or North Wales) (Deadline 11th April). The Marines Futures Interns will gain skills, knowledge and experience across a variety of sectors in this exciting field to help direct and shape their future career ambitions.
Fundraiser – Froglife (Location: flexible – likely around Yorkshire) (Deadline 14th April) Project: Coalface to Wildspace: Yorkshire
Head of Programmes (Norfolk River Trust) (Deadline 14th April) Lead and oversee the wide range of progammes and development of new opportunities for funding and partnerships.
For a wide range of further opportunities, do look at:
And to wrap it up…
The Inaugural Climate Fiction Prize
Find out more about the £10,000 award, for inspiring ways to ‘rise to the challenges of the climate crisis with hope and inventiveness’ here…..
Sharing News and Contact Details
Please do share our news round-up with colleagues who might be interested. If someone has shared it with you and you would like to join NAEE to support our work, you can do so here.
National Association for Environmental Education (UK)
Email: info@naee.org.uk Web: http://naee.org.uk