  
Dear Colleagues,
Welcome to this edition of Education Matters, which explores climate action and sustainability. A key priority in West Sussex County Council's is to enable West Sussex schools to take action on energy efficiency, sustainable transport, climate change education, food security, and other climate change mitigation and resilience issues.
The is that “by 2025, all education settings will have nominated a sustainability lead and put in place a climate action plan.”
To support schools in this journey, our approach is informed by the DfE’s . This edition focuses on the programmes and resources available from the Council, the Department for Education and other organisations to support schools on their sustainability journey.
Best wishes,
Claire Hayes, Assistant Director Education and Skills
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How can we support you?
As part of our work to support education settings to improve sustainability and adapt to climate change, we would like to hear about your experiences. Does your setting already have a climate action plan or sustainability lead? Let us know by filling in this very quick poll.
Championing sustainability in West Sussex schools
In 2022, the DfE published their Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy, with the expectation for all education settings in England to have a sustainability lead and Climate Action Plan in place by 2025.
In this article, Louise Downey, Sustainability Team Leader, outlines the DfE's vision for sustainability and climate change in education, and explores what settings need to do to fulfil the DfE's expectations.
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Creating your climate action plan: shared benefits for schools and the environment
The DfE's Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy sets out an expectation for every education setting to have a climate action plan by 2025. There are resources available to support you with this, alongside the guidance offered by the West Sussex County Council Sustainability Team and other organisations.
This article explains the immediate and long-term benefits of a climate action plan, and the resources that can support your setting. For further guidance on designing and implementing your climate action plan, please read this useful guide.
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Climate resilience and addressing climate anxiety
Adapting education settings to the changing climate and building resilience is essential for the health, safety and wellbeing of children and young people, as well as staff. This article from Louise Downey, Sustainability Team Leader, discusses the impacts of the changing climate in West Sussex, how adaptation reduces risk and builds resilience for your setting, and what support is available to help you.
Research shows that children and young people are worried about climate change. They want to learn more about the impact climate change is having now and how it will affect them throughout their lives. Sustainability Support for Education provides several resources to enable schools to understand and address climate change related mental health issues and eco-anxiety.
Spending time in and caring for nature can support mental health and wellbeing, as well as physical health. More biodiverse spaces are especially beneficial for mental health and wellbeing, and have been linked to improvements in mood, happiness and cognitive function, and reductions in stress, anxiety and depression. Opportunities available through the National Education Nature Park, like texture mapping and Hidden nature challenge can help young people begin their journey to a greater connection with nature.
Getting involved in nature projects at school can be an opportunity for children and young people to have a visible influence over their school environment and take part in decision making, building their agency and supporting their mental health and wellbeing. Please share your insights on climate anxiety with the Sustainability Team by emailing sustainability@westsussex.gov.uk.
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The National Education Nature Park: embedding nature-based learning for children and young people
The National Education Nature Park is a key strand of the DfE’s Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy delivery. This article discusses the benefits of nature-based learning for children and young people and explores the free resources available to support you with embedding climate and nature-based learning within your curriculum.
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Empowering future eco-leaders through Wastebusters
The West Sussex Wastebusters Programme, provided free to schools by the West Sussex Waste Partnership, is proving that small actions can lead to big environmental and financial benefits. In this article, Katy Newnham, Director (Wastebusters) offers guidance on how Wastebusters can support your setting to empower future eco-leaders with student-led initiatives, such as the Planet Protector Challenge and the Climate Enterprise Award. The article also celebrates the success of West Sussex schools, Bohunt Horsham, Bourne Community College and Kingsham Primary School.
As winners of the 2023/24 West Sussex Planet Protector Award, Kingsham Primary School have shared their top tips for climate action.
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The Climate Ambassadors scheme: request free support and advice for your school
The Climate Ambassadors scheme is an important part of the DfE's Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy, offering free support and advice to schools across the country.
In this article, find out how a climate ambassador can help you to improve your setting's sustainability and climate action planning.
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Reducing carbon emissions from school meals
As a major contributor to climate change, food service is one area that schools can focus on to help deliver on carbon emissions reduction. With over 20,000 meals a day served in West Sussex schools, reducing carbon emissions from your school meals processes can have a significant impact on your setting's overall carbon footprint.
In this article, John Figgins, Head of Catering Services, discusses how the Council's contracted services are continuing to evolve to support the DfE's net-zero vision for 2050. John also provides helpful guidance for schools and settings to make small, manageable changes with big, lasting impacts.
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Reducing your energy and water consumption
As energy and water prices continue to rise, reducing your consumption has financial and environmental benefits. Understanding your usage is the first step to create a plan to reduce your consumption.
This article from David Edwards, Senior Adviser - Partnerships (Energy Services), provides guidance on reducing your energy and water consumption, with useful tips to make financial and environmental savings to boost your setting's sustainability.
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Travelling sustainably: Active Travel contributes to reduced carbon emissions
West Sussex County Council is committed to making sustainable travel journeys a safer, more convenient and more accessible option for our residents and visitors alike. A cornerstone of this commitment is our approach to Active Travel and we were proud to be awarded Level 1 Capability status by Active Travel England last autumn.
This article, from the West Sussex County Council Active Travel Team, suggests how you can support families to get involved with Active Travel in the County, including walking, cycling and scooting.
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The climate change page on West Sussex Services for Education provides a handy guide for schools on climate action, and links to a wide range of supporting resources. Visit the climate change page for guidance and support to boost your setting's sustainability, including:
- Support to create and implement a climate action plan
- Guidance on sustainability leadership for schools
- Information on free DfE programmes to support sustainability and climate action
- Useful websites and organisations with credible information on climate change
- Resources for primary and secondary phase settings
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Feedback
Please complete this very quick poll to tell us whether your setting has a climate action plan or sustainability lead.
We would love to hear more about what your setting is doing to tackle climate change and protect the environment. Your stories can help us showcase the great work already happening across the county and help West Sussex education settings to learn from each other.
We would also welcome any feedback and questions from education settings on the topics contained in this edition of Education Matters.
Please contact us by emailing sustainability@westsussex.gov.uk.
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