Members' library

• Leading schools
  • Sustainable schools
    • Developing a sustainable school
      • Beginner, performer, leader, pioneer
      • 10-point programme for getting started
      • Valuing our future toolkit
      • Food and drink
      • Energy and water
      • Travel and traffic
      • Purchasing and waste
      • Buildings and grounds
      • Inclusion and participation
      • Local wellbeing
      • Global dimension
      • Further information and resources

Sustainable schools: inclusion and participation

Fact - there are 9.8 million people with a disability in the UK - one person in seven - which is more than the combined population of Wales and Scotland (Disability Rights Commission).

Fact - 8 per cent of the UK population - 4.6 million people - belongs to a minority ethnic group, of which the largest are Indian, Pakistani and mixed ethnic background (Office of National Statistics) .

Fact - 75 per cent of people in the UK have a religion and the six main religions are Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, Jewish and Buddhist (Office of National Statistics).

Respecting and valuing individual difference and cultural diversity sits at the heart of education for sustainable development. This doorway is inextricably linked to the Every Child Matters agenda - especially the right of children to enjoy and achieve without prejudice, both at school and in the wider community.

Doorway booklet - inclusion and participation

Top tips for inclusion and participation in sustainable schools:

• Distribute leadership: consider appointing a co-ordinator for inclusion and participation who can take overall responsibility for raising the profile of inclusion and targeting harder to reach groups.
• Amend your school improvement plan to include policies and actions that address diversity and cultural respect and reinforce the school’s commitment to ensuring no pupil, parent or member of staff is isolated or marginalised.
• Consider continuing professional development (CPD) for staff to help build capacity in addressing inclusion and participation issues through the curriculum and extra-curricular activities.
• Involve the whole school in decision-making for all aspects of sustainability, including schemes that actively address inclusion and participation issues and monitor progress.
• Invite the wider community into school for themed events that reinforce positive messages about tolerance and understanding.
• Use day-to-day interactions to model the qualities, behaviours and characteristics that you wish to nurture in all your pupils.
• Focus on learning: use storytelling to get messages across about tolerance and the impact an individual’s attitudes and behaviours have on the world around them.
• Forge links with organisations that work for society‘s most marginalised groups and invite their representatives into school to increase awareness and understanding among pupils and staff.

Case studies

Distributed leadership for sustainability - Batley Girls’ High School

Education for sustainability in an extended school - Bowbridge Primary School

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

Incorporating sustainability into life at a special school - Glebe School

Empowering students and staff to tackle sustainability - Lampton School

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

A 20-year journey towards sustainability - Milton Mount Primary School

Sustainability in an early years setting - Monkchester Road Nursery

Developing a clear vision for sustainability - Settle College

From special measures to outstanding provider - St Francis Xavier Catholic Primary School

Placing sustainability at the heart of s new school community - St Martin’s at Shouldham Primary School