The Association of School and College Leaders discuss how they are beginning, through small changes, to take the first crucial steps toward sustainability. ASCL explain how sustainability can be linked into daily teaching requirements from Every Child Matters to inspections.

Getting Started
We know that sustainability is a major issue facing the world today and, if we are to leave a thriving planet for the next generation, everyone must play their part, including schools.

But in reality, school leaders are faced with constant government initiatives such as new performance management regulations, curriculum changes and efficiency savings, all of which push sustainability further down the priority list.

First Steps
At ASCL, we started by assembling a small working group of staff who were enthusiastic about sustainability and who could encourage others to come on board. The group focused its efforts on putting small, concrete changes in place.

These included:

• Setting all copiers to print both sides.
• Doing away with disposable cups.
• Increasing the number of recycling stations.
• Having the local council do an energy audit.

Some good ideas came from resources published for schools by the DCSF, such as the Bursar's Guide to Sustainable School Operation.

Self Evaluation Form (SEF)
The government believes that sustainable development can boost a school’s performance in each of the Five Key Improvement themes in the Self-evaluation Form (SEF). It has indicated that inspectors will be looking for evidence of this. For examples, click here.

Inspection takes Every Child Matters (ECM) into account
While the environment is not specifically mentioned in the five ECM aims, the links with pupil-centred sustainable projects are clear. The environment has a major influence on children's health, safety and how they 'make a positive contribution'. Thus sustainability projects can be used as evidence of working toward the five ECM aims.

Get Started!
In a recent DEFRA study 84 % of students thought that schools could help combat climate change, but only 8 % were doing something about it.

Encourage your school council to take a leading role, start an 'eco-group' of students to take the first steps toward sustainability.

The Association of School and College Leaders is the trade union for secondary school and college leadership team members - both teaching and senior support staff.