Leading the way on climate education

Teachers from Brighton & Hove schools have been sharing best practice about the Our City, Our World environmental education programme in Devon, Leicester, Bedfordshire, and Brent.

During this term Brighton & Hove’s school leaders have delivered training to 20 schools in each of the areas. They have worked with around 80 schools, 24,000 pupils and a similar number of families.  

This is in addition to the 46 primary schools in Brighton & Hove and 6 secondary schools engaged in Our City, Our World.   

Empowering children and young people 

Brighton & Hove won £100,000 from Let’s Go Zero to share learning about climate education with other areas in the country. The Our Schools, Our World project has created 4 regional hubs which will be local versions of Brighton & Hove’s trailblazing programme. 

The whole school, whole city approach weaves sustainability into all areas of school life, including the curriculum, school operations and class, school and family actions.  

Councillor Tim Rowkins, Cabinet member for Net Zero and Environmental Services, said: “This is an inspiring programme that is reaching beyond the boundaries of Brighton & Hove. It works so well because it involves the whole school network, from headteachers, pupils and students, to teachers, governors and support staff.

“One of the most impressive aspects of this project is that learning about the science of climate change and having a better understanding about what can be done is empowering children and young people to ask the right questions of leaders, make their voices heard and contribute to finding solutions.”

Through experience of delivering a local programme, Brighton & Hove is showcasing the whole school approach, from leading for sustainability and climate in the curriculum, to connecting with nature and addressing eco anxiety.

The programme also supports schools to develop Climate Action Plans, which will be a Department for Education requirement in 2025.  

More information

Our City, Our World is the sustainability, climate change and environmental education programme for Brighton & Hove schools. 

See more on the OCOW website.

Let’s Go Zero is a national charity committed to helping schools cut carbon emissions and uniting them in climate education and action.

Further developing a citywide environmental education programme is one of our Council Plan commitments