Schools

‘Energy pods’ and bird feeders: Zahawi to set out school climate measures at COP26

Ministers also planning new model science curriculum

Ministers also planning new model science curriculum

4 Nov 2021, 22:30

More from this author

The government will introduce a new model science curriculum, test “energy pods” to replace school boilers and encourage education settings to install bird feeders under plans to be unveiled at the COP26 conference.

Ministers will also introduce a Duke of Edinburgh-style climate action scheme as part of the government’s draft sustainability and climate change strategy, to be launched by education secretary Nadhim Zahawi in Glasgow today.

COP26
Zahawi

According to the DfE, a new model science curriculum will “empower teachers in every school to deliver world-leading climate change education”. A similar curriculum for music was unveiled earlier this year, and ministers are already planning another for history.

Pupils will also be able to undertake a new climate leaders award recognising work to improve the environment.

Participants will progress through ‘bronze’, ‘silver’ and ‘gold’ levels, as they do for the Duke of Edinburgh Award. They will be encouraged to get involved in the natural world by increasing biodiversity in their school’s grounds. This can be done by installing bird feeders, it said.

Pupils will be able to track their progress against other schools via the new virtual National Education Nature Park, which will increase knowledge of different species and develop skills in biodiversity mapping.

Both the awards and virtual nature park will be run by the Natural History Museum.

Final strategy due April 2022

Zahawi said the measures will “not only raise awareness and understanding of the problem, but also equip young people with the skills and knowledge to build a sustainable future”. A final version of the strategy will be published in April.

The education secretary will also reveal plans to test “energy pods” — low-to-zero carbon “plug-and-play” solutions that provide heating and hot water via solar panels and other technology.

The DfE said the innovation was being tested first in “some schools” and could be rolled out to other public sector buildings.

It comes as schools minister Robin Walker told Schools Week that he wanted more of the government’s public sector decarbonisation funding to go to schools.

He also encouraged more schools to use solar panels. Changes to the way school business rates are paid, due to come in next April, will remove one of the current disincentives to using the equipment, Walker added.

Latest education roles from

Chief Education Officer (Deputy CEO)

Chief Education Officer (Deputy CEO)

Romero Catholic Academy Trust

Director of Academy Finance and Operations

Director of Academy Finance and Operations

Ormiston Academies Trust

Principal & Chief Executive

Principal & Chief Executive

Truro & Penwith College

Group Director of Marketing, Communications & External Engagement

Group Director of Marketing, Communications & External Engagement

London & South East Education Group

Sponsored posts

Sponsored post

How accurate spend information is helping schools identify savings

One the biggest issues schools face when it comes to saving money on everyday purchases is a lack of...

SWAdvertorial
Sponsored post

Building Character, Increasing Engagement and Growing Leaders: A Whole School Approach

Research increasingly shows that character education is just as important as academic achievement in shaping pupils’ long-term success. Studies...

SWAdvertorial
Sponsored post

Educators launch national AI framework to guide schools and colleges

More than 250 schools and colleges across the UK have already enrolled in AiEd Certified, a new certification framework...

SWAdvertorial
Sponsored post

How Learner-Led Computing Promotes Student Engagement

For 15 years, Apps for Good has been championing digital education, empowering young people from all backgrounds - especially...

SWAdvertorial

More from this theme

Politics, Schools

Reform government would ‘root out teachers brainwashing kids’ says MP Lee Anderson

Reform UK members tell party conference of need to crack down on 'brainwashing' teachers and stop schools 'becoming indoctrination...

Lydia Chantler-Hicks
Schools

Farage: ‘Let’s start teaching trades and services at school’

Reform leader also says he ‘will not stand for kids’ minds being poisoned in schools with a twisted interpretation...

Lydia Chantler-Hicks
Schools

Staff want compensation after summer cyber-attack

Schools warned incident could increase risk of phishing, fraud and identity theft for impacted employees

John Dickens
Schools

Lockdown: The schools forced to take emergency measures

Union calls for 'comprehensive' guidance as leaders warn of communications difficulties during incidents

Jack Dyson

Your thoughts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *