Sustainable Schools

Sustainable development is most commonly described as ‘development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs’.  Sustainable schools teach children about living sustainably.

The eight sustainable schools doorways is a framework recommended by the DfES for schools to use:

• Food & drink One way we can easily contribute to living more sustainably is to buy as much of our food as possible locally. This cuts environmental pollution caused by transporting goods into and around the UK. We can buy food that is in season, for instance English strawberries in June and not imported Spanish strawberries in winter.

• Energy & water There is potential to make major savings in our energy and water use in school. The use of renewable energy could provide some or even all of the school’s energy supply. Water shortages are now a major problem in parts of the UK. We understand how this affects people, but we often overlook the negative effects that overuse of fresh water has on soil and wildlife.

• Travel & traffic If everyone in school travelled to school by walking, cycling or public transport this would lead to less traffic and pollution and fewer road accidents. During term time cars account for 16 per cent of early morning traffic (this fact could be omitted for primary pupils).

• Purchasing & waste We can recycle our waste and even better we can reduce our waste by repairing and reusing as much as possible. It’s also important for us to think before we buy and try to make sure that the people who make or grow the things we buy get a fair price for what they do.

• Buildings & grounds There are many ways we can improve our school buildings and grounds. An easy thing is purchasing building lumber or wood products – like classroom furniture – that are made from wood that has been cut from sustainably managed forests. These products have an FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) quality mark. There are also environmentally friendly paints that do not release volatile organic chemicals as they dry. In some places, entire communities are built using these and other sustainable technologies.

• Inclusion & participation To create a sustainable school we all need to value cultural and religious differences, value everyone’s participation and contribution, and keep a welcoming atmosphere.

• Local well-being In a sustainable school the well-being of everyone in the school is important, as well as the well-being of the local community and local environment.

• Global dimension There is a global dimension to all our lives, for instance the food we eat and clothes we wear link us to people, environments and economies all over the world. Global poverty is a major challenge that could impact on all our lives in the future. One in five of the world’s population lives in extreme poverty. Ten million children die before their fifth birthday, most of them from preventable diseases.

In sustainable schools children develop an understanding about their actions which can help them make a difference and become good global citizens.

To find out more about sustainable schools in Milton Keynes and how to join them, visit www.gemk.org.uk