Results
A series of presentations on Sustainable Schools was delivered at the Staffordshire Primary Head Teachers' Termly Meetings during the Autumn Term 2008.
Following the presentations Heads were asked to complete a short questionnaire. 36 responses have been received and analysed.
The results are summarised below:
1 Have you heard of 'Sustainable Schools' or the 'Sustainable Schools Framework'?
25 Head Teachers had heard of the Sustainable Schools Framework, with 2 more who had vaguely heard of it. 9 Head Teachers had not heard of it.
2 Have you been encouraged to get involved with this initiative?
27 Head Teachers said they had not been encouraged to get involved with this initiative. 9 Head Teachers said they had been encouraged to do so.
3 Are you already participating in 'Sustainable Schools'?
6 Head Teachers stated that their schools were already participating in 'Sustainable Schools'. 30 stated that their schools were not participating in 'Sustainable Schools'.
4 Is your school already involved with the Eco-Schools programme?
Of the 36 schools represented in the survey, 23 were already involved with the Eco-Schools programme. 13 schools were not involved with Eco-Schools.
5 (If applicable) What are the barriers to your school getting involved in Sustainable Schools or participating in the Eco-Schools programme?
24 Head Teachers indicated that there were barriers to their schools getting involved in Sustainable Schools or participating in the Eco-Schools programme. These barriers included:
Too many initiatives in general/heavy agenda (20 responses)
Too many other urgent priorities eg Ofsted/Special Measures (4 responses)
Shortage of time/staffing /resources (6)
Lack of information (4 responses)
Need for training
Practical issues eg roads to busy to promote cycling to school
6 Head Teachers felt there were no barriers and 6 more felt the issue of barriers was not applicable to their circumstances.
6 What support do you/does your school need to become a more sustainable school or to participate in Sustainable Schools/ Eco-Schools
Head Teachers responded by stating they needed support as follows:
Someone to help (20 responses)
Funding (13 responses)
Resources/resources packs (10 responses)
Time (7 responses)
Local support network of Eco-Leaders (6 responses)
Staff (4 responses)
More information (4 responses)
Training (2 responses)
Governor training
Integrate initiatives/holistic approach
Summary of Results
The majority of Head Teachers (27 out of 36) had heard of the Sustainable Schools Framework, yet most (27) had not in their view yet been encouraged to get involved with it.
Only 6 schools represented were so far participating in Sustainable Schools with 30 not yet participating.
However, 23 of the 36 schools were involved with the Eco-Schools programme.
A range of barriers to participation in either schemes were given with the heavy programme and shortage of time being the most frequently stated barrier.
Head Teachers felt that there were however several useful ways that schools could be supported to make progress.
1 There is a need to further raise awareness of Sustainable Schools and Eco-Schools and to make clear that there are benefits to participation eg for children's learning and development, for the school community, to help reduce costs, to contribute to Ofsted inspections.
2 Seek to establish a Sustainable Schools staff rep in each school to lead on the sustainable schools agenda, ideally with some time allocated for this role
3 There is a need to further clarify initiatives and show how they fit together eg Healthy Schools and Sustainable Schools
4 Accessible information and resource packs should be made available and clearly signposted, including an up to date listing of available grants for school sustainable development projects
5 Seek to provide a Sustainable Schools resource/support post to encourage and support schools and to help deliver the Government's target that all schools become sustainable schools - the support of Healthy Schools Co-ordinators for instance have ensured that the Healthy Schools initiative has been taken up widely by schools. This post will support and signpost schools and busy teachers, who are faced with hectic schedules and many calls on their time.
6 Flag up the climate change agenda to schools through the above post and include school sustainability activity within wider processes eg Local Area Agreement and Delivery Plans, as they can help to deliver action and targets on priorities such as climate change
7 Establish/support local Sustainable Schools networks to share good practice, exchange ideas, mentor schools at the start of their sustainability journey, to access professionals and experts in sustainability fields and to establish a shared goal and identity etc
8 Promote and reward sustainable schools activity though a Green Award scheme (Stafford Borough Green Awards attract several schools entries in the Youth and Education category - till recently the Staffordshire County Council Green Awards, based on SBC's initiative and judging 'the best of the best from the Districts' also engaged and rewarded many schools. This initiative has recently ceased but its re-establishment would be fitting, given the high profile of SD and climate change
9 Provide training and support capacity building for staff and Governors.
