What is a sustainable school?
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An introduction to what makes a sustainable school, for leaders who are new to sustainability and for those already involved in developing sustainable schools.
The video provides some key messages about what a sustainable school is and how being one benefits the school, its pupils and the wider community. Headteachers speak openly about what it means to them and why it is so important to embed sustainabilty within the culture of a school. David Hopkins and Jonathan Porrit present their views at a College event about sustainable schools.
A definition of a sustainable school
The Department for Children, Schools and Families describes a sustainable school as one that “...is guided by the principle of care: care for oneself, care for each other and care for the environment."
The principle of care is not new to schools – it’s the introduction of care for the environment that moves a school from being a good school to a sustainable school.
For further information see Sustainable Schools for Pupils, Communities and the Environment.
Setting a vision for sustainability
Research suggests that sustainability is developed most effectively when it is put at the heart of a school’s improvement plan and is reflected in the school’s vision. A school’s vision is created by the broad school community and is understood and supported across the school. Student participation plays a very important role in creating the vision.
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