Core Materials
The DCSF is committed to embedding sustainable development in schools, the curriculum and the community and is working with partners and other Government departments to provide the necessary tools for this to happen.
The suite of materials are engaging and informative and allow schools and pupils to work on 'real' issues and can help raise pupil achievement.
Download or order materials from the table below:
Target group | Description | Date published | Format | |
| How national recognition schemes can support your school's progress | School staff | The guidance is designed for school staff to identify how their school can use recognition schemes to tackle the different aspects to sustainable development. | July 2008 | PDF only |
| Planning a Sustainable School - Driving school improvement through sustainable development | Governors, headteachers, schools, support staff, teachers, teaching assistants | The planning guide's activities are intended to help schools plan, implement, monitor and evaluate their progress towards becoming a sustainable school. | July 2008 | PDF and hard copy |
| Sustainable Schools Self-Evaluation tool (s3) | Senior school staff | s3 has been designed to help schools evaluate their current efforts to create a sustainable school and inform their next steps. The tool is based on the Ofsted SEF | July 2008 | PDF only |
| Sustainable Schools National Framework poster | All | An A1 poster summarising the eight doorways. | July 2008 | PDF and hard copy |
| Climate change film pack - Guidance for teaching staff | Secondary teaching staff | Guidance for using the film pack at Key Stage 3 and 4 for science, geography and citizenship teachers. | November 2007 | PDF and hard copy |
| School staff, STAs, governors | Ten tips on how to promote sustainable travel to school. | September 2007 | PDF and hard copy | |
| A governor's guide to sustainable schools | Governors | Practical guidance to help understand the benefits of sustainable schools. Further materials are available in the tools section. | June 2007 | PDF and hard copy |
| Carbon detectives' kit | Pupils and teachers | A package of resources for Key Stage 2 and 3 pupils to help them investigate the sustainability performance of their own school. Schools must register first. | May 2007 | Website |
| Top tips to reduce waste in schools | School staff | Ten tips to minimise waste in schools | May 2007 | PDF and hard copy |
| Top tips to reduce energy and water use in schools | Caretakers, school staff and school managers | Ten tips to minimise energy and water use in schools | May 2007 | PDF and hard copy |
| A bursar's guide to sustainable school operation | Bursars, caretakers, catering staff and school managers | The guidance outlines measures to take to reduce costs (energy and waste) whilst reducing the school's environmental impact. | April 2007 | PDF and hard copy |
| Sustainable Schools for pupils, communities and the environment: An action plan for the DfES | DCSF, LAs and NGOs | The plan highlights the action the DCSF and other government departments will take to ensure schools are supported in becoming sustainable models by 2020. | April 2007 | Currently PDF only |
| About Sustainable Schools leaflet | All | An informative summary of the Sustainable Schools strategy. | December 2006 | PDF and hard copy |
| Doorways: a sustainable schools assembly series | Senior school staff | Nine assembly plans based on the 8 doorways of the National Framework and climate change on how to profile sustainability within school assemblies. | December 2006 | PDF only |
| Government response to the Sustainable Schools consultation | All | A response to the consultation of May 2006 setting out a way forward to embed sustainability in schools. | December 2006 | PDF and hard copy |
| Schools for the Future: Design of Sustainable Schools - Case Studies | Designers and local authority clients | The guide addresses refurbishment of existing schools using techniques used in the design of new schools. | December 2006 | Hard copy only, priced £20.00 |
| Schools for the Future: Designing School Grounds | Teachers, headteachers, governing bodies, local authorities, architects, dioceses, and sponsors. | The guide encourages schools to consider how best to use their grounds for the educational, recreational and social needs of their pupils. | October 2006 | Hard copy only, priced £21.00 |
