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Let’s Go Zero Schools Webinars

For over a year we’ve been campaigning to help schools become zero carbon by 2030, and now we want to share the experiences of some of our trailblazing schools so you can take your zero carbon journey to the next step!  

We are running monthly webinars, with each session including a small update from the Let’s Go Zero team followed by speakers from schools talking about the actions they’ve taken to become zero carbon and a short Q&A session.  

Join us for insights and information into real climate action that schools are taking right now.  

Let’s Go Zero webinars are recorded so can be joined live or watched at a time that suits you.  

Found out more about the campaign here.

Join the campaign here.

Upcoming

Theme: Building a Sustainable World: Embedding Sustainability into the Primary Curriculum

Date: Thursday 25 April 2024, 3:45 – 4:30pm

Description:

In this webinar we will have an update from Let’s Go Zero followed by a presentation from Oasis Community Learning and Worlds Largest Lesson.

 

You will hear from Oasis Community Learning Principal and Geography lead on how Oasis have integrated the global goals into a range of subjects and age groups throughout their primary academies, touching on how the curriculum itself was developed and how it incorporated ‘green careers’ through Futures and careers week. She’ll also share some tips on how to get schools/staff on board.

You will also hear from Kinvara who will present findings from her recent research into identifying what are the skills and mindsets young people need to have to act on sustainability issues. She will share findings from her mapping work of 154 learning programmes from around the world and look at how these insights can help to inform classroom practice. She will then run an inspiration session focusing on one of the sustainability competencies in detail – looking at how teachers can act as facilitators to develop creative problem skills in students.

There will be plenty of time for questions. If you are interested in finding out more please register and come along.

Register here

This webinar will be recorded and shared in the days following.

Theme: Let’s Go Zero spotlight on National Education Nature Park​

Date: Wednesday 8 May 2024, 3:45 – 4:30pm

Description:

In this webinar we will have a quick update from Let’s Go Zero followed by a presentation from the team at National Education Nature Park. 

Join us for May’s webinar where we’ll be hearing all about the National Education Nature Park programme from colleagues at the Natural History Museum and Royal Horticultural Society, as well as some of the educators taking part. They’ll be talking through how the free programme aims to empower every young person in England to make a positive difference to both their own and nature’s future by creating a network of green spaces in schools, colleges and nurseries across the country. By following a five-step process, young people lead the way in getting to know their outdoor spaces and make a plan of how they can improve it for wildlife and for the school community, all while developing key green and digital skills and enhancing their connection to nature.

 We’ll also be hearing about how you and your class can get involved in the National Education Nature Park by being #HabitatHeroes on Outdoor Classroom Day, by discovering what habitats you have on your learning site and adding them to a national map.

 Find out more: www.educationnaturepark.org.uk

Register here

This webinar will be recorded and shared in the days following.

Theme: Surfers Against Sewage and Positive Pupil Power!

Date: Tuesday 21 May 2024, 3:45 – 4:30pm

Description:

In this webinar we will have a quick update from Let’s Go Zero followed by a presentation from the team at Surfers Against Sewage about thier Plastic Free Schools programme. Surfers Against Sewage are the most recent members of the Let’s Go Zero Colaition, a network of organisations supporting schools and young people to take climate action.

The Education team from Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) will discuss the various free programmes and resources they offer to young people across the UK. As a marine conservation and campaigning charity, SAS works to create ocean activists everywhere by connecting young people to their environment (especially blue spaces) and empowering them to use the power of their voices to make waves of positive change. In this session, SAS will talk through their Plastic Free Schools programme and how to navigate it with ease and impact in different education settings, as well as exploring their ocean school resources which can be used in person or virtually.

There will be plenty of time for questions. If you are interested in finding out more please register and come along.

Register here

This webinar will be recorded and shared in the days following.

Theme: Green Jobs, Skills and Careers

Date: Wednesday 26 June 2024, 3:45 – 4:45pm

Description:

In this webinar we will have an update from Let’s Go Zero followed by a series of brilliant speakers discussing green jobs, skills and careers guidance.

Jessica Marshall from Oasis Community Learning will start things off by outlining how, as a trust, they are starting to integrate green skills and careers from primary to secondary academies, including staff CPD, cross curricula inclusion and making external connections.

Dawn Williams is a Chartered Surveyor from Eos Surveyors. She will be discussing green jobs and representing My Environment My Future (MEMF) showing how they encourage more careers in the Built Environment through their programme. Additionally, she will be highlighting MEMF’s sustainability competition during the presentation.

Amy Ball from WWF will then go onto introduce Sustainable Futures. A free careers programme for UK secondary schools and colleges that equips young people to thrive in a future green economy, regardless of their career path. Amy will provide an overview of the programme and information on how you can access teaching resources and start to embed this within your school or college.

Lastly, we will hear from Hazel Obua from London South Bank University about green skills and potential career paths one could explore in this sector.

There will be plenty of time for questions. If you are interested in finding out more please register and come along.

Register here

This webinar will be recorded and shared in the days following.

If you are interested in any specific themes that we have not covered, email us, or catch up on our previous webinars below.

Watch this space for updates and follow us on twitter @Let’sGo_Zero.

Past Events

This event has now taken place, you can watch the recording below.

Theme: Act Local, Think Global! What Can Your School Do?

Date: Thursday 21 March 2024, 3:45 – 4:30pm

Description:

In this webinar we will have an update from Let’s Go Zero followed by a presentation from Fairtrade and how they are at the heart of fighting the climate crisis and how your school can get involved!

Find out about how their work is tackling deforestation and the other effects of the climate crisis that are threatening the lives and livelihoods of Fairtrade farmers.

Hear about how you can support this cause by joining Fairtrade Schools.

Fairtrade Schools is great for the school, putting it at the heart of the people’s movement for change; it’s great for teachers, offering loads of ways to enhance the curriculum and develop young people; it’s great for young people, because it’s fun and is part of something happening all over the world; and it’s great for farmers, who are earning a fair price, and feeling the support of people on the other side of the world.

Running order

  • 0 – 4 mins – Intro to Let’s Go Zero
  • 4 – 20mins – Elena Fernandez-Lee, Education Campaigning Manger, Fairtrade Foundation
  • 20 – 33 mins – Heather Wiggins, Burgh Primary School
  • 33 – end – Q+A and closing remarks

Useful links

https://letsgozero.org/

https://schools.fairtrade.org.uk/

New Support for Schools in 2024

In this webinar we will have an update from Let’s Go Zero followed by a presentation from EcoSchools about their amazing new Schools Carbon Foot-Printing Tool. 

Adam will introduce Eco-School’s ‘Count Your Carbon’ – a free, comprehensive carbon footprint calculator designed with and for schools. The session will include a walk through of the user journey and a look at the reporting and recommendations you’ll be able to access after completing a calculation. We will then hopefully hear from a school who has been using the tool for first hand experience.

We then have Andrew Charlton-Perez presenting on the newly funded Climate Ambassador programme, part of the Climate Action Planning projects within the Department for Education. He will outline what support is and will be available and how both settings and ambassadors can get involved.

In the final part of this webinar we will hear from Jasmine, a Let’s Go Zero Climate Action Advisor, about the free 1:2:1 support they offer to all educational settings throughout England. 

Running order

  • 0 – 3 mins – Intro to Let’s Go Zero
  • 3 – 17mins – Adam Flint, National Manager Eco-Schools England, Keep Britain Tidy (Count Your Carbon Tool)
  • 17 – 34 mins – Andrew Charlton-Perez, Head of School of Mathematical, Physical and Computational Sciences, Reading University (Climate Action Ambassadors Network)
  • 34 – 44mins – Jasmine Newhouse, Climate Action Advisor, Let’s Go Zero (Climate Action Advisor Network)
  • 44 – end – Q+A and closing remarks

 

Useful links

https://letsgozero.org/

https://letsgozero.org/climate-action-advisors/

https://www.eco-schools.org.uk/count-your-carbon/

https://www.reading.ac.uk/planet/climate-education/climate-ambassador-scheme

https://www.stem.org.uk/ccep/climate-ambassadors

https://www.educationnaturepark.org.uk

This event has now taken place, you can watch the recording below.

Theme: Greening ICT

Description
In this webinar we will hear from CAE, Cisco and the ICT Service at Cambridgeshire County Council showcasing projects of how blending networking technology with sustainability capabilities can really enable schools to reduce energy use, save money and carbon by up to 57%, with no impact in delivering the curriculum!

Join us for insights and information into real climate action that schools are taking right now.

Running order

  • 0 – 5 mins – Intro to Let’s Go Zero
  • 5 – 20mins – John Chapman, Head of Service and Barry Cauldwell, Head of Technical Operations, The ICT Service – Cambridgeshire County Council
  • 20 – 33 mins – Ali McKeand, Chief Technologist, Innovation, CAE Technology Services Ltd
  • 33 – 42mins – Sumeet Bhatia, Business Development Manager, Cisco Systems
  • 42 – end – Q+A and closing remarks

Useful links

Rethinking IT infrastructure to reduce cost and carbon emissions across 70 schools:

https://meraki.cisco.com/customers/wrexham-county-borough-council/

Activate your schools free WiserWatts solution to drive down cost and carbon emissions:

www.thisiscae.com/intelligent-energy-saving-with-wiserwatts

This event has now taken place, you can watch the recording below.

Theme: Bringing Students Closer to Nature and Improving Biodiversity

Description
In this webinar we will have an update from Let’s Go Zero followed by a talk from a previous OVO Foundation Nature Prize winner about the competition and what they have gone on to do. How they have increased biodiversity and access to green space in their school.

In the second half we will hear from Mary from Learning Through Landscapes who will give us an update on the Department for Educations Education Nature Park, followed by tips and support for green space improvement for both Primary and Secondary schools.

Running order

  • 0 – 4 mins – Intro to Let’s Go Zero
  • 4 – 14mins – Dawn Carby, Year 3 class teacher and a Trauma Informed Schools Practitioner, Ysgol Tycroes
  • 14 – 35 mins – Mary Jackson, Head of Education and Communities, Learning through Landscapes
  • 35mins – end – Q+A and closing remarks

 

Useful links

This event has now taken place, you can watch the recording below.

Theme: Sustainability Support for School Operation Managers

In this webinar we will hear from three large Multi-Academy Trusts, United Learning, Hearts Academy and The Priory Learning Trust, alongside the Co-Chairs of Operations Group for UKSSN.

Hear about the strategies they are using to implement and inspire climate action throughout all schools in their trust. How they are creating climate action plans, finding base lines, and making savings in carbon and money.

Join us for insights and information into real climate action that schools are taking right now and have the chance to ask questions and get advice.

 

Running order

  • 0 – 4 mins – Intro to Let’s Go Zero
  • 4 – 25mins – Emily Brunton, Sustainability Lead – United Learning Trust
  • 25 – 54 mins – Paul Edmond, Chief Finance and Sustainability Officer, HEART Academies Trust, alongside Helen Burge, Deputy Chief Operations Officer, The Priory Learning Trust both are Co-Chair of UKSSN Operations Group
  • 54mins – end – Q+A and
    closing remarks

 

Useful links

This event has now taken place, you can watch the recording below.

Theme: Embedding Sustainability Throughout the Curriculum

In this webinar we will hear from two schools, a primary and secondary, about the ways in which they have embedded sustainability into all aspects of the curriculum. We will also hear from The Harmony Project, an organisation that works with teachers and educators to develop a curriculum that is based on a deep understanding of, and connection to, the natural world.

Running order:

0 – 2 mins: Welcome and update on Let’s Go Zero

2 – 13 mins: Michael Jones, Northfleet Technology College

13 – 24 mins: Edd Moore, Damers First School

24 – 30 mins: Q&A

30 – 57 mins: Lisa Atkinson, The Harmony Project  

57 mins – end: Q&A and closing remarks

Useful links

The Harmony Project

Ocean Generation

This event has now taken place, you can watch the recording below.

Theme: Minimising Waste in Schools

In
this webinar we will hear from a school in Lewisham who are doing an amazing
amount of projects to minimise waste and even more, through embedding the SDG’s
throughout the school. 

 

Alongside
them we will also hear from WRAP, a climate action NGO working around the globe
to tackle the causes of the climate crisis and give the planet a sustainable
future. They are transforming our food and textile systems, eliminating plastic
pollution, and increasing recycling. Watch the webinar below to hear how they
can support your school.

 

Running order

  • 0 – 8 mins – Intro to Let’s
    Go Zero and importance of minimising waste
  • 8 – 31mins – Michelle Henderson-Vieira, Nursery
    Teacher and Global Learning Lead, Rathfern Primary School
  • 31 – 44 mins – Joanna Linley, Behaviour
    Change Project Manager, WRAP
  • 44mins – end – Q+A and
    closing remarks

 

Useful links

This event has now taken place, you can watch the recording below.

Theme: New support for schools working on sustainability (June 2023)

We are running a webinar series this summer 2023 to help schools take action on the climate and biodiversity crisis.

To start things off we want to update you on the latest support there is for schools in a variety of areas. Hear from:

  • Let’s Go Zero about a new Climate Advisors programme for more hands-on support.
  • EcoSchools about a brand-new tool specific for schools to use.
  • The Natural History Museum about the National Education Nature Park and Climate Action Awards.

Running order

  • 0 – 10 mins – Update on Let’s Go Zero and our Climate Action Advisors project
  • 4 – 22mins – Adam Flint, Keep Britain Tidy – Schools Carbon Foot Printing Tool
  • 22 – 35 mins – Laura Soul, Natural History Museum – Education Nature Park and Climate Action Awards
  • 35mins – end – Q+A and closing remarks

** Unfortunately there were problems with the Natural History Museum presentation and we will be updating this presentation ASAP

Useful links

This event has now taken place, you can watch the recording below.

Theme: Green Jobs and Skills

 

Running order

  • 0 – 4 mins – Update on Let’s Go Zero
  • 4 – 16mins – Danielle Webb, Head of Geography and Year 10 and Leah McClure, Head of Science and Associate Assistant Headteacher KS5 at Colton Hills Community School
  • 16 – 29 mins – Neil Strain, Headteacher, Stony Dean SEN Secondary School 
  • 29 – 39mins – Q+A
  • 39 – 52mins – Roy Kareem, Director of Bright Green Future, Bright Green Future
  • 52mins – end – Q+A and closing remarks

Useful links

This event has now taken place, you can watch the recording below.

Theme: Curriculum

How are schools embedding climate into the curriculum? Hear from two schools on the work they are doing to teach their students and staff about the climate and biodiversity crisis, empowering them to take action. Hear from Paul from The Ministry of Eco Education who help schools to weave together the best free resources into series of lessons that help schools embed sustainability across the curriculum for every pupil in every lesson. The MEE approach helps schools engage with the wealth of opportunities and save teachers time but incorporating initiatives into every lesson, whilst linked to the national curriculum.

Running order

  • 0 – 4 mins – Update on Let’s Go Zero
  • 4 – 22mins – Sian Williams, Principal, King’s Academy Ringmer Secondary School
  • 22 – 37 mins – Hannah Tombling, Nursery Teacher and Eco-Schools Lead, Diamond Wood Community Academy
  • 37 – 42mins – Q+A
  • 42 – 57mins – Paul Turner, Ministry of Eco Education
  • 57mins – end – Alison Lasenby, Programme Officer, Let’s Go Zero talking about two competitions 

Useful links

This event has now taken place, you can watch the recording below.

Theme: Food

Watch this webinar to hear how schools are taking action on Food from food growing to composting, minimising food waste to the curriculum, to creating more healthy and sustainable food options on the school menu. One school is even tackling the cost-of-living crisis through food distribution and food growing. Be inspired on what you could do in your school and hear from ProVeg on how they support schools to take action and the impact food has on our planet.

Running order

  • 0 – 4 mins – Update on Let’s Go Zero
  • 4 – 19mins – Lucy Donald, Office Manager, Oakwell Rise Primary Academy
  • 19 – 32 mins – Dr Jason O’Rourke, Headteacher, Washingborough Academy
  • 32 – 37mins – Q+A
  • 37 – 58mins – Colette Fox, Head of Programme, ProVeg
  • 58mins – end – Alison Lasenby, Programme Officer, Let’s Go Zero talking about the OVO Foundation Nature Prize

Useful links

Theme: Nature

This event has now taken place, you can watch the recording below.

Running order

  • 0 – 4 mins – Update on Let’s Go Zero
  • 4 – 23mins – Jo Pettifer, Sustainability Project Coordinator, St Ralph Sherwin Catholic Multi Academy Trust​
  • ​23 – 40 mins – Rebecca Ruddy, Assistant Principal​, Boothroyd Primary Academy ​
  • 40 – 58mins – Douglas Anderson, iDot Engagement Officer​, Wildlife Aid Foundation
  • 58mins – end – Alison Lasenby, Programme Officer​ at Let’s Go Zero talking about the OVO Foundation Nature Prize

Useful links

Theme: The Power of Schools

This event has now taken place, you can watch the recording below.

Running order

  • 0 – 1.5mins – Alex Green, School Programme Manager, update on Let’s Go Zero
  • 1.5 – 11mins – Edd Moore, Eco-coordinator, and teacher from Damers First School
  • 11 – 17mins – Lynne Moore, Operations Manager, Furze Platt Senior School
  • 17 mins – end Final Q+A/ closing remarks
 

Useful Links

Watch other Youth Climate Summit webinars here

Theme: Biodiveristy and School Grounds

This event has now taken place, you can watch the recording below.

Running order

  • 0 – 5mins – Alex Green, School Programme Manager, update on Let’s Go Zero
  • 10 – 21mins – Jo Pettifer, Sustainability Project Coordinator, St Ralph Sherwin Catholic Multi Academy Trust
  • 21 – 34.5mins – Richard Pollard, National Schools Programme Manager at The Tree Council 
  • 34.5 – 53mins – Matt Larsen-Daw, Head of Education at WWF UK
  • 53 mins – end Final Q+A/ closing remarks

Useful Links

Primary Awards for Green Education in Schools (PAGES awards)

The Nature Grants

“Green Grid” AKA Ofsted Outstanding Descriptors for Sustainability actions – Credit to Jo Pettifer

 

Schools and education – The Tree Council

https://youngtreechampions.org/

 

Peoples Plan for Nature

Theme: Getting started with action in your school 

This event has now taken place, you can watch the recording below.

Running order

  • 0 – 10mins Alex Green, School Programme Manager, to give an update on Let’s Go Zero
  • 10 – 21mins Rick Weights, Headteacher from Monk Fryston CofE Primary School
  • 21 – 34mins Edd Moore, Eco-coordinator, and teacher from Damers First School
  • 34 – 42mins – Q+A
  • 42 – 53mins Binah Cooper, Schools Programme Manager from Global Action Plan to showcase the Schools Climate Action Planner
  • 53 mins – end Final Q+A/ closing remarks

Useful Links

Schools Climate Action Planner

Theme: Reducing energy use in your school 

This event has now taken place, you can watch the recording below.

Running order:

  • 0 – 6mins – Update on Let’s Go Zero
  • 6 – 18mins – Patricia Opalko, Governor from St Edmunds Primary, Maidenhead
  • 18 – 26mins – Rob Pavey, Headteacher from Cheney Secondary School
  • 26 – 32mins – Q+A
  • 32 – 44mins- Claudia Towner, Energy Sparkes
  • 44mins – end Final Q+A/ closing remarks

Useful Links

Energy Sparks 

Theme: Governance and reviewing the DfE Strategy

This event has now taken place, you can watch the recording below.

Running order:

  • 0 – 8 mins – Update on Let’s Go Zero and why governance is important
  • 8 – 26mins – Richard Crompton; Director of Operations from Bellevue Place Education Trust
  • 26 – 32 mins – Q+A
  • 32 – 51 mins- Alex Green, Let’s Go Zero Manager discussing the new DfE Strategy
  • 51 mins – end Final Q+A/ closing remarks

Useful Links

Department for Education Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy

National Governance Association – Greener Governance

Theme: Engaging Students in Climate Action 

Here is the running order in case you want to skip to a certain section:

0 – 3 mins – Update on Let’s Go Zero

3 – 17mins – Ana Romeo, Head of Sustainability and Global Education Coordinator, Wellington College, Berkshire

17 – 27mins – John Patterson, Headteacher from St Vincent’s School, Liverpool  

27 – 40 mins – Q+A

40 – 53 mins- Francis Hyland, Eco-Schools Coordinator

53 mins – end Final Q+A/ closing remarks

Useful links

#TheLittleFreeGreenhouse

@STVincentsL12  

Eco Schools

England

Northern Ireland

Scotland

Wales 

UK School Eco Network:

https://www.transform-our-world.org/ukssn

Theme: Making Sustainable Travel the Norm

This event has now taken place, you can watch the recording below.

Running order:

  • 0 – 6 mins – Update on Let’s Go Zero and why sustainable travel is important
  • 6 – 20mins – Janet Reeve; Healthy Schools Coordinator, Bishop Wood Junior – Modeshift Stars ‘Primary School of the Year 2021’
  • 20 – 27 mins – Q+A
  • 27 – 46 mins- Cheryl Ford Lyddon, Modeshift STARS Programme Manager
  • 46 mins – end Final Q+A/ closing remarks

Useful Links

Modeshift STARS

Modeshift Stars – Travel Plan in Education, Business & Communities

Transform Our World – Free Teaching Resources

https://www.transform-our-world.org

Theme: Climate Action Planning

This event has now taken place, you can watch the recording below.

Running order:

  • 0 – 5mins Suzanne Gibbon, Schools Programme Coordinator to give an update on Let’s Go Zero
  • 5 – 23mins Rachael Rivers, CPD Lead at The Learning for Life Partnership
  • 23 – 39mins Jodie Velarde, Schools Programme Officer at Global Action Plan to showcase the Schools Climate Action Planner
  • 39 – 43mins – Alex Green, Schools Programme Manager at Ashden offering Top Tips on action planning
  • 43 mins – end Final Q+A/ closing remarks

Useful Links

Let’s Go Zero Song

Schools Climate Action Planner

Department for Education Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy

Theme: Saving Energy

This event has now taken place, you can watch the recording below.

Running order:

  • 0 – 4.5mins – Update on Let’s Go Zero
  • 4.5 – 10mins – Mary Leonard – Science Teacher at Worle Community School
  • 10 – 19mins – Q+A
  • 19 – 48mins- Harry Paticas – Founder / Managing Director at RAFT
  • 48mins – end Final Q+A/ closing remarks

 

Useful Links

Retrofit Action for Tomorrow 

UKSSN

Solar for Schools

The Let’s Go Zero campaign is led by Ashden, and supported by IKEA and a powerful coalition of organisations like WWF, Fairtrade Foundation, Global Action Plan, Soil Association, Eco Schools, Sustrans, Carbon Trust and The Tree Council.

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