Teachers and educators from across Worcestershire got together to discuss the implications of the climate and ecological crisis in schools across the West Midlands.
The Educators Climate Assembly, hosted by the University of Worcester, saw senior education leaders and sustainability leads from across Early Years, Schools, and Further Education take part in a day of collaboration, insight, and action.
The event was a timely response to the Department for Education’s directive that all schools should appoint a Sustainability Lead and begin developing a Climate Action Plan by the end of this year.
The Assembly event featured expert insights and practices from Educational Psychologists and regional coordinators of the DfE Climate Ambassador Scheme, as well as practical support for developing and implementing Climate Action Plans.
There was advice on helping school leaders embed climate resilience into their safeguarding policies, as well as an exploration of the psychological impacts of the climate and ecological emergency on staff and students. The day also included key insights from the recent National Emergency Briefing, which will affect children across the region, with updates from specialists in national security, energy, food security, health, economics, and extreme weather.
The event was organised by the University’s Institute of Education. Elena Lengthorn, Senior Lecturer in Teacher Education and chair of the University’s Sustainability Forum, said: “Education is at the heart of tackling our climate and ecological crisis. By empowering teachers with the knowledge, confidence, and practical tools to embed safeguarding in our schools, we can support the next generation to be informed, resilient, and proactive in shaping a more sustainable future.”
The event was hosted in association with DfE Climate Ambassadors and ClimatEdPsych.
The University of Worcester is widely recognised as one of the UK’s most sustainable universities. It has consistently ranked among the top institutions in the People & Planet University League, achieving first class honours for its environmental and ethical performance. The University’s commitment to sustainability is embedded across its curriculum, operations, and community engagement.