What’s in the Environment and Sustainability Award framework?
This award offers a structured framework to audit and evaluate your school’s sustainability strategy. It supports you identify and implement actions that will improve climate resilience across the whole school, in line with the DfE’s Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy.
The Award benefits
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Leadership and commitment
Demonstrate commitment to environment and sustainability with clear leadership, a dedicated team, a strategic action plan, and ongoing evaluation for lasting impact. -
Strategy alignment
Ensure alignment with the Department for Education’s Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy. -
Education and culture
Embed sustainability within the school culture with pupil leadership and engagement, community links, curriculum integration and staff professional development. -
Sustainability strategy
Create an action plan that addresses DfE’s four core pillars: decarbonation, biodiversity, adaptation and resilience, and climate education/green skills. -
Carbon footprint
Reduce your school’s carbon footprint by addressing energy use, waste, and your procurement strategy. -
Climate resilience
Use climate risk tools to future proof the school introducing water efficiency measures, promoting biodiversity, reducing carbon emissions and strengthening weather resistance.
The award process
Evaluate your current provision against each of the award Objectives and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
Work with the award framework to create and implement your school’s Action Plan.
Collect evidence to meet the award framework and upload to the e-portfolio.
External review of the school’s evidence against the award framework.
Receive your award and celebrate your school’s achievement!
Improvements seen during work on the award continue after verification and the school remains accredited for two years.
