notyetzero

Display of the Sustainability Goals

Climate Education in the National Curriculum: What do schools need to know?

•

notyetzero.com

The government has made some progress in embedding climate education in schools from curriculum. We’ve seen currriculum review announcements (you can find a blog that I’ve written for The Carbon Literacy Project on the subject) and new expectations around sustainability leads and climate action plans for all education settings. These changes are now being felt across primary and secondary and (hopefully will) signal a shift in how schools prepare young people for a changing world.

Cimate education in UK schools should no longer a standalone topic.
With every conversation I’m having with new sustainability leads it’s clear that more and more sustainability conversations and subjects are being woven through the National Curriculum, supported by strategy, and increasingly linked to whole-school culture and long-term planning.

Why climate education is in the spotlight

Young people consistently tell us they care deeply about the environment, and recent surveys show many feel they aren’t learning enough about climate change at school. This means that schools are being asked questions, asked to set up eco-councils, or clubs, or even paying more attention to the news. It’s getting harder to ignore, whether you are interested in carbon emissions, extreme weather events or biodiversity.

At the same time:

  • Public pressure is rising, and accountability is being sought
  • Schools are expected to model sustainability
  • The DfE’s Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy is hitting schools with practical expectaions such as a sustainability lead and a climate action plan.

This moment presents a huge opportunity: to equip young people with the knowledge, skills and confidence to live, work and lead in a rapidly changing world.

Where sustainability can be in the National Curriculum

It’s possible you are doing more than you realise and sustainability features across several subjects, including:

  • Science: ecosystems, energy flows, climate systems, adaptation and mitigation
  • Geography: climate zones, development, land use, the human–environment relationship
  • Design & Technology: sustainable materials, circular economy principles, low-impact design
  • Maths & Data: real-world datasets, modelling energy use, interpreting climate data
  • Citizenship: community action, civic responsibility and global challenges
  • English: persuasive writing, critical reading, storytelling on environmental themes

What challenges are schools raising?

I meet many schoosl and education professionals in my work – current feedback suggest several common barriers:

  • Many schools do not yet have a sustainability lead — or have one with limited time or support
  • Teachers feel under-confident to teach climate and sustainability well
  • Schools are under pressure from accountability, finance and staffing constraints
  • CPD quality varies and it can be hard to know where to start
  • Access to resources differs widely between regions and school types

None of these barriers are insurmountable – but they make collaboration, shared practice and CPD essential.

Practical actions schools can take now

Whilst we wait for any policy and curriculum changes – every school can start building on their sustainability expertise and climate change knowledge now.

➡️ Nominate or empower a sustainability lead
Give the role time, clarity and senior support.

➡️ Map what you already teach
Most schools are delivering more sustainability than they realise — shout about it!

➡️ Connect curriculum and strategy
Link classroom learning to real actions: biodiversity surveys, energy monitoring, waste audits, student voice forums.

➡️ Use established frameworks
Eco-Schools, Climate Action Plans, Carbon Literacy and Let’s Go Zero all offer starting points.

➡️ Invest in teacher confidence, not just content
Subject specialists don’t need to be climate scientists, give them training, space and trusted materials.

➡️ Work with community partners
Local nature groups, councils, universities and sustainability hubs can extend capacity and provide inspiration.

The bigger picture: schools modelling climate leadership

Schools are uniquely positioned, we don’t just teach climate literacy, we can live and breathe it.

A truly sustainable school can:

  • Empower pupils to shape their environment and influence change
  • Connect learning with lived experience, place and community
  • Equip students for emerging green careers and resilient futures
  • Contribute meaningfully to local and national net-zero goals
  • Celebrate and share environmental success stories

Useful resources to support your school

Here are trusted links to explore, share and use with colleagues:

🎓 Training, Tools & Frameworks

🗂 Curriculum & Teaching Resources

📰 News & Analysis

🧩 Community & Inspiration you could dig for

  • Local authority school sustainability networks
  • Community energy groups
  • University outreach / STEM hubs
  • Q&A and CPD forums via Carbon Literacy networks (LinkedIn group here)

Final thought

I’ve met many sustainabilty leads in the last few months and all have very different role definitions, varying amount of time and a different support and resources. It’s clear that they can feel overwhelmed, or worry that they are not focussing on what’s important. But we need to ensure that climate education isn’t about adding more to already full timetables — it’s about using what’s already there. Schools don’t need to be experts in everything. The priority now is to get started, recognise what you are already doing and build a support netwoork,.

If you’d like support mapping curriculum, training staff or building a tailored sustainability strategy – do get in touch.

•

Recent Posts

Social Media

Advertisement