Climate change

What schools and pupils can do

Creating a positive sustainability culture in schools

Schools play a vital role in shaping how young people understand and care for the environment. They are encouraged to take creative, positive approaches to teaching sustainability and helping pupils feel confident about taking action.

Eco-friendly activities should be framed as fun, engaging experiences rather being used as punishments. For example, litter picking could be used as a class team building exercise or could be recognised within schools' reward systems. It can also help to involve pupils directly in shaping these activities, as they are often the best experts on what will work in their own school.

Climate change is already causing more extreme weather. Schools are expected to be compassionate and adaptable, using a ‘common sense’ approach during these events. For example, they should understand that events like heatwaves can make pupils feel unwell, and let pupils change parts of their uniform and refill their water bottles when they need to.

Climate change is the biggest issue facing younger generations and it is important our children and teenagers are equipped with the knowledge and resources they need to understand the seriousness and urgency of climate change and feel empowered to make a difference.

Resources for primary schools (7 to 11 year olds)

  • You can find engaging climate change classroom resources, presentations and information sheets for primary schools via WWF
  • NASAs Climate Kids website brings climate science to life with fun games, interactive features and exciting articles
  • Oxfam have developed climate challenge resources and activities for 7-11 year olds
  • Young People’s Trust have created a suite of lessons around the environment suitable for Key Stage 2 (KS2)
  • You can help young people understand the wide-reaching impacts of weather and climate change through the Met Office’s resources for schools
  • The Climate Change Educational Partnership (CCEP) have developed a range of activities to support you and your school to deliver exciting and inspiring climate change-related activities
  • Greenpeace are helping young people explore the challenges our planet faces and inspire them to become part of the solution through free educational resources
  • Read this list of books put together by Penguin to help teach children about the environment

Resources for secondary schools and higher education (11 to 18 year olds)

  • You can find engaging classroom resources, presentations and information sheets for secondary schools via WWF
  • Young People’s Trust have created a suite of lessons around the environment suitable for Key Stage 3 (KS3)
  • Explore a range of activities to support you and your school to deliver exciting and inspiring climate change-related activities via The Climate Change Educational Partnership (CCEP)
  • You can access climate challenge resources and activities for 11-14 year olds through Oxfam
  • The Met Office have developed bite-size, hands on activities to use in your classroom to teach your students about the impacts of weather and climate change
  • Browse free educational resources from Greenpeace who are helping young people explore the challenges our planet faces

Get recognised for the work your school is doing

The Eco-Schools programme empowers young people to introduce and lead environmental actions and education in their schools through a seven-step framework. Once a school has completed the seven-step framework, they can apply for Eco-Schools Green Flag accreditation to recognise their environmental achievements.

The Green Tree Schools Award encourages outdoor learning and inspires pupils to connect with trees, woods and wildlife through fun, hands on activities. Schools earn points for each project they complete, progressing through bronze, silver and gold levels towards the prestigious platinum award. Pupils can gain certificates to celebrate their achievements, and schools can receive recognition for their environmental work. 

Become a Fairtrade school and join other schools across the world who are teaching young people about global issues, for example where our food comes from and how we are connected to people around the planet.

More information, tools and resources

  • Explore classroom activities and multimedia resources from UNESCO that cater for all age groups
  • Get everything you need to explore Fairtrade in your school – from films and assemblies to games and lesson plans
  • Explore the relationship between the natural environment and humans via the Science Museum
  • A selection of free resources, pulled together by the council’s Envirocrime team, are available for primary and secondary schools. The resources are designed to support key stage science topics as part of the national curriculum, while also focussing on what happens with waste in Swindon.

Get inspired and inspire others

Has your school got any climate change success stories you want to share with your community to help inspire and motivate others? We’d love to hear from you. Get in touch at: sustainability@swindon.gov.uk

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