Schools Climate Action
SCAN Summer-term meeting recap
Thank you for all who came along to our Spring-term Schools Climate Action Network meeting.
A special thanks to our amazing guests who shared great opportunities offered to schools.
For those who were unable to attend, here is a summary of the key points and information discussed:
- Solar for Schools: Ann and Danielle from Solar for Schools introduced their work installing solar panels for schools without upfront costs. They demonstrated the dual aspect of their work reducing carbon footprint and integrating sustainability into the curriculum.
- Schools that partner with Solar for Schools receive a comprehensive 25-year educational program. This includes annual workshops, access to an education portal with real-time energy data, and curriculum-linked resources to teach students about renewable energy and sustainability.
- Solar Panels not only provide financial savings on energy costs but also enriches students' learning experiences by making sustainability a core part of their education.
- Start a campaign for solar at your school - Solar for Schools Education - Development
- Traid for Textile Recycling: Jose presented Traid's work in textile recycling, including home collections and textile banks. He explained how Traid is the only organisation that hand-sorts every garment to maximize reuse and minimize waste.
- Traid offers educational programs and competitions for schools to promote sustainable actions. These include assemblies, donation drives, and upcycling workshops, which teach students about the impact of the fashion industry and how to mitigate it.
- By participating in these programs, schools can engage students in hands-on sustainability projects, reduce textile waste, and contribute to global environmental efforts. Contact jose@traid.or.uk for more.
- Tree Planting in Enfield Chase: Stuart from Prince of Wales Primary School shared their experience with tree planting as part of the Enfield Chase Restoration project. He explained the logistics of organizing the trip and the experience of the kids.
- Students learned about soil types, teamwork, and the importance of biodiversity. They also gained practical skills in planting and caring for trees.
- Tree planting projects provide students with real-life experiences in environmental stewardship, enhance their understanding of ecosystems, and contribute to local reforestation efforts.
Updates from the Council :
- Reminder about all the free resources available to support you with you Climate Action on the HUB
In particular, the Climate Advisor programme of Let’s Go Zero and the Climate Ambassadors Programme with a series of events
As well as the Earthfest Live Lesson: 5th June 9am - London's festival of sustainability
Express an interest here using the online form.
- Schools Capital Delivery Programme: We will be delivering a variety of decarbonisation schemes in schools funded by the GLA and PSDS, such as Solar panel installations, LED lighting, fabric improvements and connections to the heat network.
- Getting to School Competition: Alex introduced the "Getting to School" competition, encouraging primary school students to create artwork promoting walking, wheeling, scooting, or cycling to school. The deadline for entries is June 27th. This competition aims to promote active travel and environmental awareness among students. Getting to School Competition - Let's Talk Enfield
Useful Resources for Schools
News:
8 May and 6 November 2025: https://outdoorclassroomday.com/
EDUCATIONAL TOOLKIT |
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Organisation |
Link |
The Offer |
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Eco Schools |
The Eco-Schools programme provides a simple, seven-step framework that answers this question whilst empowering young people to make a difference in their school, local community and beyond. Since 1994, millions of young people around the world have worked through the Eco-Schools Seven Steps before being recognised for their efforts with a prestigious Eco-Schools Green Flag. |
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Let’s Go Zero |
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The national campaign working with government, teachers, pupils, parents and their schools to support all schools reach their goal to be zero carbon by 2030 through seven policy actions. |
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Climate Ambassadors |
Climate Ambassadors: Turning Climate Ambition into Climate Action in Education | Climate Ambassadors |
Provides free expertise and support to nurseries, schools and colleges to develop and deliver impactful climate action plans, funded by the Department for Education (DfE), |
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Net Zero GO |
Topic: Schools and Educational Institutions
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Knowledge library Making investments to improve energy efficiency will help schools and colleges manage their costs. Schools and colleges will know their local circumstances best and can choose how to invest this funding to improve energy efficiency. |
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Net Zero GO |
Reference: Climate Action Plan Decarbonisation - for schools
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Knowledge library Guidance produced by the Energy Systems Catapult to support schools and help them to access the funding needed to plan for and deliver decarbonisation projects across their built estates |
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National education Union (NEU) |
https://neu.org.uk/advice/classroom/teaching-resources/climate-change
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The largest education union representing teachers, lecturers, support staff, and school leaders, in maintained and independent schools and colleges across the UK. |
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Green Schools Project |
Green Schools Project woks with schools to transform the way they respond to the climate and nature crisis. We help students to lead projects, we deliver teacher training sessions, and we support schools to reduce their carbon emissions with a focus on the learning opportunities provided by this process. |
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Sustainability Support for Education |
https://www.sustainabilitysupportforeducation.org.uk/
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A comprehensive resource collection for educational settings to create and deliver climate action for their institute, commissioned by the Department for Education. |
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Connect Education Trust |
Works with primary schools in Enfield to support them in delivering exceptional education. The trust has set up a Pupil Parliament Network that discusses issues such as climate and sustainability. It is made up of 2 pupil representatives from each school across the Trust and meets once a term. |
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Pupils Profit |
Engages children in Ethical Enterprises: Teaching pupils how to set up and operate sustainable Healthy Tuck Shops and Eco refill shops, which will contribute to a school's overall wellbeing. |
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ProVeg |
ProVeg UK works with local authorities and school caterers to increase the health and sustainability of school food. They review menus and provide advice, new recipes, and plant-based cooking workshops to increase the quality and quantity of plant-based food in schools. |
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London Sustainable Schools Forum |
http://www.londonsustainableschools.org/about.html
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Forum of teachers, local authority officers, third sector workers, private sector workers, governors and others, coming together once a term to discuss, share, support, create and plan. |
ENERGY
ENERGY |
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Salix |
https://www.salixfinance.co.uk/
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Public sector funding source for decarbonisation projects |
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Ofgem |
Environmental and social schemes
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Ashden/School Energy Efficiency |
Delivers energy saving programmes for ‘clusters’ of schools, including workshops covering energy saving; recording and analysing meter data; behaviour change for staff and students; and incorporating energy-related sustainability issues into the curriculum. |
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Solar for Schools |
https://www.solarforschools.co.uk/
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Solar for Schools supports schools through their journey to solar energy on their roofs, from funding, design, installation and operation, including an education package on energy and sustainability using the solar panels as the educational instrument to empower pupils. |
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Power-Up North London |
https://powerupnorthlondon.org/
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Power Up North London (PUNL) is a community energy group dedicated to generating locally owned renewable energy and cutting carbon emissions through innovative solar PV projects. |
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School’s Energy Cooperative |
Installs community funded solar panel systems on schools distributing its profits to member schools. A social enterprise providing an alternative to the commercial rent a roof or leasing model, to retain as much of the benefits as possible for the schools, students and the communities. |
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Oak Garden |
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Energy consumption monitoring and management system supported by an educational programme |
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EnergySparks |
https://energysparks.uk/for-schools
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Energy consumption monitoring and management system supported by an educational programme |
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Good estate management for schools |
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/good-estate-management-for-schools
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UK Government guidance for schools energy management |
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Tips for cutting carbon and slashing energy bills |
https://www.educationbusinessuk.net/features/tips-cutting-carbon-and-slashing-energy-bills
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Article on reducing energy consumption |
TRAVEL
TRAVEL |
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Journeys and Places |
https://journeysandplaces.enfield.gov.uk/
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Enfield Council's Journeys and Places programme empowers people in Enfield to make sustainable choices for themselves, their community and our planet. |
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TfL Travel for Life |
https://travelforlife.tfl.gov.uk/
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Travel for Life is a new umbrella for all the previous TfL education programmes (Road Safety Club, STARS, Safety and Citizenship and TravelSmart), under one new umbrella to allow TfL to engage with more schools across London, helping to develop children's independence and confidence and create a lasting impact on the way young people travel to and from school in London. |
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Enfield School Streets |
Updates on Enfield School Streets programme |
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School Streets |
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School Streets Initiative provides information and guidance to empower local communities who want to see School Street schemes implemented. The information is builds on practical experience and is not associated with any local authority. |
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Cycle Confident |
https://www.cycleconfident.com/schools/
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Cycle Confident run Bikeability sessions in 1000s of schools across the country, training over 60,000 children a year. |
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Workplace Charging Scheme |
UK Government Grant to provide support towards the costs of the purchase, installation and infrastructure of electric vehicle charge points at eligible places of work. Closing date: 31 March 2025, 11:59pm (Midnight) |
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NATURE
NATURE |
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Greater London Authority (GLA) |
The Mayor’s guide on SuDS for existing schools and how to include them. It is designed for head teachers, business managers, school governors, site and building managers. |
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Thames21 |
https://www.thames21.org.uk/education/
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Thames21 collaborates with schools to educate students about the importance of rivers and environmental conservation through hands-on experiences and curriculum-linked sessions, fostering a lasting connection between young people and their local waterways. |
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Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT) |
Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust resources to deliver SuDS with schools |
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University of Sheffield |
BEGIN Designing Blue Green Infrastructure for Health and Wellbeing |
A report prepared by researchers from the University of Sheffield for built environment, water, and public health professionals in the UK. It collates and presents evidence about the potential benefits of designing Blue Green Infrastructure (BGI) to enhance mental health, physical health, and wellbeing to help professionals advocate for health-promoting BGI to policymakers; to integrate health-promoting BGI into policy, investment, and master-planning; and to design BGI in a way that maximises health benefits. |
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Urban Design London (UDL) |
A practical guide to designing raingardens |
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Trees for Cities |
Aims to transform urban school grounds into leafy green oases for both the children of today and for future generations. |
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Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) |
Big Schools’ Birdwatch is an annual event run in tandem with the RSPB’s hugely popular citizen science survey, Big Garden Birdwatch. It’s all about counting the birds you see on your school grounds, so it’s a great way to engage children with nature, science and maths. |
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Eco-Schools |
LEAF is a fun, bitesize programme that exists within the wider Eco-Schools award. It’s designed to give Early Years and KS1 people a deeper connection to the green spaces around them – from local forests and woodlands to parks and gardens, to the biodiversity in their learning setting. |
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Our Bright Future |
https://www.ourbrightfuture.co.uk/
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Our Bright Future was an ambitious and innovative partnership led by The Wildlife Trusts which brought together the youth and environmental sectors. It ran from 2016 to the end of 2022. The resources and projects are available |
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Transform our World |
A community of educators empowering students to take climate action |
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World Wildlife Fund (WWF) |
Ideas for campaigns for schools for the health of the Planet |
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WASTE
WASTE |
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NLWA Education Hub |
A collection of resources for schools on recycling |
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Recycle now |
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UK Government’s Comprehensive Recycling information |
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NLHPP |
https://northlondonheatandpower.london/community/careers/schools-programme |
Stimulate interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) subjects, as well as construction, engineering and waste infrastructure related careers for secondary schools |
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Crown Workspace |
https://crownworkspace.com/uk/services/giving-back-project/
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The Giving Back Project donates redundant and refurbished furniture and IT equipment to schools in the framework of the social impact strategy focused on improving employment and skills opportunities for young people in Enfield. Their projects offer support to young people such as CV writing workshops, apprenticeship programs through their volunteer programme. |
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Business2Schools |
https://www.business2schools.com/schools
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Business2Schools works with over 5000 schools and charities registered throughout the UK passing on the things businesses don't need to school that do. |
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UNIFORMD |
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Platform for the school to collect and sell 2nd hand uniforms |
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WEN |
Promotes reusable and organic options for conventional menstrual products for girls in schools |
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Team Repair |
https://docsend.com/view/ber9asutdqcpjnmx
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Team Repair programme offers schools a toolkit to deliver workshops for pupils between the years 4-11 to get hands-on experience in fixing gadgets and develop an interest in how things work integrated into the KS2/KS3 STEM curriculum. |
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Valpak Limited: Recycle More |
https://www.recycle-more.co.uk/
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Help and advice on all aspects of recycling and reuse. UK’s most comprehensive recycling bank search facility and supports the Government’s own recycling brand, Recycle Now. Valpak Limited created the recycle-more website in 2000 so that 'seller' members of their Packaging Compliance Scheme could meet their consumer information obligations (CIOs), under the Packaging Waste Regulations, FREE of charge. The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Recycling section on recycle-more is supported by members of the Distributor Take back Scheme (DTS). |
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Wastebuster |
https://www.wastebuster.co.uk/
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Supports educators to equip children with the mindset and resources, to create their own more sustainable future while encouraging children to use their creativity to find solutions to sustainability challenges and helping them to believe in their ability to effect change. |
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WRAP |
National agreement from the recycling industry on what can and cannot be collected for recycling from householders and how those materials should be presented for collection, including:
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Eco Refill Programme |
https://www.pupilsprofit.com/Eco_Refill.html
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Pupils Profits programme to reduce use of single use plastics by encouraging refilling of household products led by the students. |
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TerraCycle |
https://www.terracycle.com/en-GB/brigades
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Free Recycling Programmes for recycling solutions for typically hard-to-recycle waste streams. Join all the programmes to help reduce your impact on our planet. |