Key Themes & Our Ways of Working

Key themes

The following key themes underlie all of our ESD work:

Climate Change Worcestershire County Council recognises that climate change and energy is the greatest threat facing us in the 21st century. This theme underlies all of our ESD work with schools.

Transformative learning
Transformative learning is a simple idea based on the principles of active citizenship. By providing learners with knowledge and opportunities to investigate and act upon key issues, it is our belief that children and young people will be both inspired and empowered to choose a more sustainable lifestyle and encourage others to do so.

The following areas from the National Framework for Sustainable Schools also underlie our ESD work:
Local well-being
Inclusion & participation
Global citizenship

Our ways of working

• Eco Schools
• National Framework for Sustainable Schools
• Outdoor Learning

Curriculum Development
Each year we work with schools to develop their curriculum with specific projects linked to our key themes. These projects act as a way of piloting new ideas, developing and then sharing good practice and reaching new audiences within school communities.

One recent example is the Worcestershire Parish Mapping Project. Taking place in the Forest of Feckenham area of Worcestershire, four first schools took part in the project, which celebrated the connections between people, places & wildlife.

An Integrated Approach
We have an integrated partnership approach to ESD. We work with others:

• Within the council (Corporate Sustainability Stewards group; ESD Forum)
• Outside the council (District Councils, Worcestershire Environmental Education Liaison Group ~ WEEL)

For a list of key contacts and support across the County Council, District Councils and relevant national and local organisations, please see our Directory  (160.94 KB).