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Sustainable schools: global dimension

Fact - more than 600 million children worldwide live in absolute poverty - an estimated one in four. (Childhood Poverty and Research Centre).

Fact - six million children under five die every year as a result of hunger (CARE).

Fact - those least responsible for climate change, especially in less developed countries, are the most affected by it and have the fewest resources to cope with its impacts (Unicef).

The global dimension doorway is about developing young people’s understanding of global issues such as poverty and climate change and of our interdependence with other societies, economies and the environment so they can become responsible, global citizens.

Doorway booklet - global dimension

Top tips for developing the global dimension of sustainable schools.

• Look beyond your school to set up links with schools abroad so that staff and pupils can learn about different societies, cultures and lifestyles.
• Delegate responsibility for working towards the International School Award (ISA): appoint a global dimension co-ordinator with specific responsibility for steering the school through the ISA framework.
• Invite parents, grandparents and the wider community into school for themed days, which focus on a developing country.
• Consider how you might generate and allocate additional resources to support the development of international work: perhaps students could organise their own fundraising events.
• Encourage students to take part on voluntary or charity work with an international aid organisation to develop their understanding of international issues.
• Think about what CPD and planning might be helpful to staff in working to integrate the international perspective across the school curriculum.

Case studies

Developing international eco awareness - Cedar Mount High School

Exploring sustainable lifestyles at a local and international level - Crispin School

A week of sustainability learning experiences - Bydales School

Developing sustainability across a federation - The Durham Community Business College and Fyndoune Community College

Empowering students and staff to tackle sustainability - Lampton School

Using sustainability to develop staff and pupil leaders - Lark Rise Lower School