Overview

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Many partners within the Worcestershire Partnership (the County Council, District Councils, Wildlife Trust, Duckworth Worcestershire Trust and others) have encouraged schools to explore their relationship with the environment. This has involved looking both locally and globally, within the wider context of sustainability, through a focus on:

• whole school approaches;
• practical action;
• outdoor learning; and
• curriculum development.

Partners from across the County have also joined a Learning for Sustainability Forum. The forum provides an opportunity to identify ways in which organisations can support each other in moving towards sustainability in schools. The forum helps to prioritise key targets and actions to bring about more effective working. A Learning for Sustainability Strategy will be available by summer 2008 with a list of prioritised targets and actions for the next 5 years.

The International Eco Schools Award Scheme has been identified within the County as an effective means of engaging school children to take action on key issues such as waste, water, biodiversity, energy, school grounds, transport, and litter (along with Healthy Living and the Global Dimension).

It is a useful reflection of the perception of Worcestershire citizens that many teachers and pupils from across the County consider making Eco Schools a high priority within their places of learning. This is reflected by the unusually high percentage of schools within the County registered with the Scheme, and the number of schools/colleges with the coveted Green Flag Award (an independently assessed Award with a strict list of criteria to be considered). The scheme is a useful demonstration of commitment through practical action. Such action often involves significant changes in behavior, as children, young people, teachers and other key stakeholders work towards the Green Flag Award.