New Year’s Resolutions for UK Schools: Embracing Climate Education in 2025

As we step into a new year, it’s the perfect time for schools across the UK to reflect on how they can play a pivotal role in tackling climate change. Education has the power to inspire the next generation to protect our planet, and with the UK government’s commitment to sustainability through the Department for Education’s (DfE) sustainability and climate change strategy, schools have an unprecedented opportunity to lead the way.

Here are some meaningful New Year’s resolutions that every UK school can adopt to integrate climate education into their curriculum and inspire students to become eco-conscious citizens:

Incorporate Climate Education Across Subjects

Climate change isn't just a topic for science lessons—it intersects with geography, history, English, and even maths. For instance:

• Use data from rising global temperatures or sea levels in maths lessons.
• Explore the history of the industrial revolution’s impact on the environment in history classes.
• Encourage creative writing focused on a sustainable future in English.

Set Up Eco-Committees

Empower pupils to take ownership of sustainability initiatives by forming eco-committees. These groups can:

• Lead recycling programs.
• Advocate for reducing single-use plastics in school.
• Organize campaigns for energy conservation.

Create an Outdoor Learning Environment

Outdoor learning is a fantastic way to connect pupils with nature while teaching about biodiversity and the importance of ecosystems. Consider:

• Setting up a wildlife garden or planting trees on school grounds.
• Organizing field trips to nature reserves or renewable energy facilities.

Host Climate-Themed Assemblies

Regular school assemblies can serve as a platform to discuss global climate challenges, celebrate student-led eco-projects, and invite guest speakers to share their expertise on sustainability.

Introduce Our Classroom Climate Programme

To support schools in tackling these goals, Our Classroom Climate (OCC) offers a comprehensive climate change education programme tailored for primary age pupils. This teacher-led initiative fully supports the national curriculum across the UK and Ireland and aligns perfectly with the DfE’s sustainability strategy.

The OCC programme demystifies the science of climate change, covering essential topics such as:

• Extreme weather and rising sea levels.
• Biodiversity and the greenhouse effect.
• The carbon and water cycles, humidity, and pollutants.
• The human impact on the planet since the industrial revolution.

Our free package provides teachers with ready-to-use resources to engage pupils and help them join the dots on how science explains the changes happening in our world.

Looking Ahead to 2025

At OCC, we’re thrilled to see the growing commitment of schools to sustainability and climate education. We’re lookingforward to working with even more schools in 2025 to deliver our climate education programme. Together, we can empower the next generation to make informed decisions and take action to protect our planet.

Ready to inspire your pupils?

Access the Our Classroom Climate Free Package today and join us in shaping a brighter, greener future for all.