EDUCATION FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
AND GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP
This policy has been drawn up in accordance with WAG Document 066/2008 and Education for Sustainable Development and Global Citizenship: A Common Understanding for Schools (DCELLS, 2008).
Education for Sustainable Development and Global Citizenship (ESDGC) is about the things that we do every day. It is about the big issues in the world - such as climate change, trade, resource and environmental depletion, human rights, conflict and democracy - and about how they relate to each other and to us. It is about how far apart we live. It is about how we prepare for the future. Every one of us has a part to play.
The school aims to:
i) Enable pupils to learn how to care for and protect their environment. In small, yet significant ways, we will strive to reduce pollution, and use our natural resources with thought and care. Understanding that collectively, schools in Wales, the UK and globally, can make a huge difference.
ii) Help pupils to understand their own rights and responsibilities, as citizens locally and globally, and have respect for the rights and responsibilities of others. Give pupils the knowledge and understanding about our world and the people who live in it and everyone's relationship with the environment.
iii) Help pupils to develop the skills to be critical thinkers by giving them the facts and a variety of resources in order that they can have balanced information and come to their own judgements.
iv) Celebrate cultural, religious and linguistic diversity and foster positive attitudes.
Any work will be differentiated and respond to individual need, using the following strategies to assist this process:
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Peer support
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Use of child friendly vocabulary
- Present the subject in different ways to suit all abilities e.g. dance, drama, videos, educational visits, ‘hands-on experiences' etc
- Promote self evaluation. Use teaching aids such as IT, games etc
- Set clear tasks and enable children to work and respond at their own speed etc
The key concepts of ESDGC are:
- Interdependence
- Citizenship and stewardship
- Needs and rights
- Diversity
- Sustainable change
- Quality of life
- Uncertainty and precaution
- Values and perceptions; and
- Conflict resolution
Teachers will be offered training as an ongoing process for their own professional development.
Eco Code
ESDGC will be developed in terms of:
Curriculum links
Schemes and awards
Global connections
Pupil participation
Equal opportunities and racial awareness
Human rights
Outdoor learning
Welsh dimension
After school clubs
Transition
Vocational education
Data literacy
Self esteem
Qualifications - the school has achieved the following awards Basic Skills 1 & 2 and Quality Standard, ICT Quality mark, Healthy Schools Award 1, 2 & 3, Eco Flag, Eco Schools awards and the curriculum examinations/awards that are linked to ESDGC include the Welsh Baccalaureate and the Duke of Edinburgh Award
Resources will be allocated to support this work as part of department capitation
The work undertaken in ESDGC at Stanwell School is detailed in the School Development Plan and as part of our School Based Review process we address ESDGC under each of the Key Questions.
‘Children and young adults deserve to know that their fate is inextricably linked to, and affected by, the lives and decision of others across the world. They have a right to understand the crucial issues facing the planet and know how they can personally play a part in helping shape the future. No school should feel it is unable to help its pupils gain these perspectives on the world'.
Jane Davidson, Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning.
