This research reiterates the importance of sustainable living, highlighted by the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, in his traditional New Year’s address earlier this month. He said “... We cannot remain indifferent to what is happening to us, for the deterioration of any one part of the planet affects us all ... Protecting the natural environment in order to build a world of peace is thus a duty incumbent upon each and all... If you want to cultivate peace, protect creation”.

The Ofsted report focused on how schools could help to develop pupils’ understanding of sustainability and the impact that this could have on the life of the school. The Catholic schools were two of 14 schools visited by Ofsted over a three-year period to evaluate how effectively they had achieved these aims. The report showed that in both primary and secondary phases, education for sustainable development enabled pupils to increase their knowledge and understanding of leading more sustainable lives. Ofsted reported the resultant positive reactions from students, especially where it provided the opportunity to initiate their own projects and take part in practical activities, discussion, debate and collaboration.

The Academy of St Francis of Assisi in the Archdiocese of Liverpool, a joint Anglican/Roman Catholic school has ‘the environment and a commitment to sustainable ways of living’ as its school specialism and was the first school in the UK to specialise in caring for the environment. The Vice-Principal Steve McElroy commented on the influence of the school’s patron St. Francis, “the school is based very much on Franciscan values of care for the environment and others.” He talked about two specific projects, the first being the involvement of every year 7 pupil in the development and maintenance of the school gardens, used to grow vegetables to serve the school and also the wider community. The second large project is an expedition to Tanzania later this year where year 11 students and  members of staff will be taking the money the school has raised to help teach lessons and renovate a local Tanzanian school building.

Bishop Challoner Catholic Collegiate School in Tower Hamlets, Westminster Diocese, spoke about their successes in the way sustainability is being widely embraced across the school community. Executive Head Catherine Myers said “students are especially passionate about sustainability and associated justice issues. They will give up a great deal of their spare time in school and at home to work on these issues and make the positive changes happen. Very often they go home and educate parents for example about why recycling is important and why buying Fairtrade is better.” The school runs a plethora of sustainable education projects including a Fairtrade Action Group, a triple award-winning student made educational film on recycling, a model United Nations student group and a 10:10 campaign group. A particular success highlighted by the Executive Head is Year 10 student Damilola Omole becoming British Council Climate Change Champion for London in March 2009. The school has been allocated £1000 by the British Council to run her project called ‘Cool Sustainable Schools’ that aims to link all the primary and secondary schools in Tower Hamlets on climate change.

Oona Stannard, Chief Executive and Director of CESEW commented “this important Ofsted publication has highlighted the opportunities for pupils, teachers, parents and the wider school community to benefit from education for sustainable development. We congratulate Bishop Challoner and the Academy of St Francis of Assisi for their successes in this important aspect of living out the Christian faith and look forward to other schools following their good example.”

 ENDS

Oona Stannard

Chief Executive and Director

Catholic Education Service for England and Wales

Notes to Editors:

The full Ofsted report can be viewed at:

http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/Ofsted-home/Publications-and-research/Browse-all-by/Documents-by-type/Thematic-reports/Education-for-sustainable-development-improving-schools-improving-lives

The Papal address can be viewed in full at:

http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/messages/peace/documents/hf_ben-xvi_mes_20091208_xliii-world-day-peace_en.html