Resources
However, new opportunities are
opening up and the DfE draft strategy (April 2022) on sustainability and climate change sets in motion a renewed focus on addressing these challenges across the sector. I would recommend that anyone involved in leadership takes the time to read it – I can see a future scenario where sustainability is considered part of a school Ofsted inspection, such is the need for change and the importance of the role of education. To achieve net zero by 2030,
schools and trusts need to be in a position where they do not contribute to climate change through carbon emissions across their site, or through other activities and procurement. This means taking a long hard look at energy use, travel, food, supplies, waste,
procurement and school grounds. Schools will need to measure not only their direct impact, but their ‘upstream’ and ‘downstream’ effect too. For instance, with regard to canteen food, a school will need to audit not only the carbon used in producing certain foodstuffs (meat vs plant-based protein) but also what happens to food waste. The first big step is to embed an
environmental strategy across your organisation, whether you are a single school or large MAT. Assign a senior leader to have an environmental role and integrate environmental education into your curriculum in a way that makes your pupils reflect on their own actions. We are by no means perfect but below are the significant milestones along the Oasis Community Learning journey to net zero that might be helpful.
FURTHER HELP
Many schools and MATs still grapple with where to start when it comes to auditing their energy usage and developing a more environmentally sustainable strategy for the future. MATs that need to produce Streamlined Energy Carbon Reports (SECR) can find themselves paying out a lot of money, whereas individual schools might only complete basic audits that have limited impact. School energy consultants Warneford Consulting can create bespoke energy strategies for academy trusts and have produced a Stage 1 Decarbonisation Energy Audit offer for those schools in receipt of the DfE’s energy efficiency grant.
warnefordconsulting.com
SEPTEMBER 2026 Campaign for change Campaign internally to keep the momentum up, offer incentives to academies and celebrate success. Drive forwards community change campaigns around our academies to maximise the impact we can have.
MARCH 2028 All building work to be net zero, all energy to be renewable All major building alterations will need to support the academies’ drive to get to net zero. All heating system replacements to use sustainable energy.
JANUARY 2023 Employing specialist support LED deployment started We recognised that we needed specialist support to measure impact, evaluate our plans and drive forward behavioural change so we employed the Eden Sustainable group. All our contracts now prioritise net zero and we’re looking at the
best ways to reduce waste. One initiative we’ve introduced is to grade canteen foods in relation to whether they produce low, medium or high amounts of CO2, thereby allowing students to make
educated choices about what they consume.
MARCH 2024-5 Curriculum, biodiversity focus, EV charging points We will expand our curriculum to ensure that we prepare students for current and future green jobs. We will develop margins around our academies to plant trees and stimulate biodiversity. We will make these community- driven projects. Electric vehicle points to become estate wide.
SEPTEMBER 2030 Net zero Celebrate... and then keep going!
FundEd SUMMER 2023 39
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