21 Jan - SCEMES National Short Story Competition Launch
The SCEMES National Short Story Competition is launched to Primary Schools nationwide. We invite all KS2 pupils to write a short story on the theme of ‘One World’. Have a look at our website for some fantastic ideas on how to get started.

21 Jan - 1 Feb - Big Schools Garden Watch
The schools-based version of the RSPB's long-running Big Garden Watch. The RSPB's Big Garden Birdwatch is the world's biggest bird survey and the results help the RSPB to keep track of bird populations right across the UK. Just watch and count the birds in your garden or local park for an hour on either 29 or 30 January and submit your results. 

1 Feb - UNICEF Day for Change
Day for Change gives pupils the opportunity to wear what they want for the day in return for a small donation to UNICEF. In 2008 schools will raise money towards water and sanitation projects in The Gambia, West Africa.

26 Jan - 2 Feb - National Storytelling Week
An annual event which aims to raise awareness of this ancient form of entertainment. Over 350 nationwide storytelling events and performances were organised last year for National Storytelling Week in Theatres, Book Shops, Libraries, Schools, Museums, Arts Centres, Storytelling Clubs, Retirement Homes and Pubs! Why not make up your own stories on the theme of ‘One World’ and enter them into the SCEMES National Short Story Competition!

25 Feb – 09 March - Fair Trade Fortnight
A good opportunity to encourage students to think about where their food comes from and how they can help people in poorer countries. This year, the Fairtrade Foundation will be launching Fairtrade Fortnight in style with a Fairtrade Fairground in Central London.

06 March - World Book Day
World Book Day was designated by UNESCO as a worldwide celebration of books and reading, and is marked in over 100 countries around the globe. World Book Day traditionally took place on 23 April (Shakespeare's birthday and St George's Day). From 2001 this was changed to the first Thursday in March to avoid clashes with Easter holidays and allow schools to take part.

20 March - Earth Day
Earth Day is intended to inspire awareness of and appreciation for the Earth's environment. The United Nations celebrates Earth Day each year on the vernal (March) equinox; while a global observance in many countries is held each year on April 22.

21 March - World Forestry Day
World Forestry Day is celebrated in forests around the world on 21st March each year as people take time to consider the benefits of forests to the community - such as catchment protection, providing habitats for animals and plants, providing areas for recreation, education and scientific study, and as a source of many products including timber and honey.

21 March - World Storytelling Day
Formerly known as International Storytelling Day, the celebration aims to get people worldwide to tell and listen to stories, in a wide variety of languages, and at as many places as possible, during a single 24-hour period. It is hoped that by sharing stories and inspiration, they will learn from each other and create international contacts.

22 March - World Day for Water
This Day was first observed in 1993 and seeks to raise public awareness, and focus attention on the vital need to protect and conserve water resources and supplies of drinking water. The UN Water group has decided the World Water Day theme for 2008 will be "sanitation", supporting the International Year of Sanitation.

02 April - International Children’s Book Day
Held every year to commemorate the birth of Hans Christian Anderson in 1805, this day is coordinated by IBBY (International Board on Books for Young People) as part of their regular schedule of activities to promote children's reading and international awareness and understanding of other cultures through children's books.  IBBY branches in a number of countries arrange events to mark the day.

07 April - World Health Day
Each Year on April 7th, the world celebrates World Health Day. On this day around the globe, thousands of events mark the importance of health for productive and happy lives.

May - National Share-a-Story Month
Bedtime stories, fairy stories, any other story you can think of! Everyone loves a story! Throughout May the Federation of Children's Book Groups is celebrating the power of story.

04 - 10 May - Compost Awareness Week
Compost Awareness Week aims to encourage the public and business communities alike to take action to support composting at all scales and to use composts.

10 May  - World Fair Trade Day
A celebration of Fair Trade internationally, with events organised worldwide.

19 -23 May - National Summer Walk to School Week
A campaign that began in 1994 when just a handful of schools took part. The event went national in 1995, and global in 1997 - now over 2.5 million children from all over the world participate.

02 -8 June - Recycle Now Week
Recycle Now Week is an annual week of nationwide recycling promotions. Visit the website to find out how your school can get involved.

5 June 2008 - World Environment Day
Every 5th of June is a day used by the United Nations to stimulate worldwide awareness of environmental issues and encourages political action. Considered by many to be the most important event on the environmental calendar.