New approach empowers teachers to embed Learning for Sustainability from the beginning of their careers
The new framework will support teacher educators in encouraging student teachers to embed sustainability into their teaching
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Empowering learning which builds a socially-just, sustainable and equitable society is at the heart of new nationwide approach to better equip teachers to realise Learning for Sustainability from the beginning of their professional lives.
Launched by the Scottish Council of Deans of Education (SCDE), the framework – led by Professor Lizzie Rushton at the University of Stirling – supports teacher educators, in school and university settings, in encouraging student teachers to embed sustainability into their teaching.
Learning for Sustainability (LfS) – an approach to life and learning, developed in Scotland since the early 2010s – is an entitlement for all children and young people across the country and is embedded in the General Teaching Council for Scotland Professional Standards for teachers. It enables them to develop the values, skills, knowledge and attributes needed to thrive in a socially, economically and ecologically uncertain world – and is considered critical to the universal vision to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure peace and prosperity worldwide.
Until now, there has not been a single national approach to embedding LfS in Initial Teacher Education (ITE) and the Scottish Government’s Learning for Sustainability Action Plan 2023-2030 highlighted this as a key area for development. On behalf of the SCDE, and working in partnership with the ITE teaching community across Scotland, Professor Rushton’s team has addressed this gap with the development of Scotland’s National Framework for Learning for Sustainability in Initial Teacher Education.
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Head of Education, University of Stirling
Scottish education has a long and rich history of environmental and sustainability education, and this framework is an important development in ensuring that all teachers are able to realise Learning for Sustainability throughout their professional lives
Dr Zoè Robertson, Chair of the SCDE and Head of the Institute for Education, Teaching and Leadership at the University of Edinburgh, said: “We are delighted that the SCDE is able to share this important development in response to the Learning for Sustainability Action Plan 2023-2030. This new national framework is both collaboratively developed and research-informed and articulates a shared vision for Learning for Sustainability in Initial Teacher Education across Scotland.”
Professor Rushton, LfS Lead for the SCDE and Head of the Education Division at the University of Stirling, said: “Scottish education has a long and rich history of environmental and sustainability education, and this framework is an important development in ensuring that all teachers are able to realise Learning for Sustainability throughout their professional lives.”
The framework is structured around the Scottish Government’s Action Plan’s ‘Target 2030’ concept, which aims for every place of education for three- to 18-year-olds to become a Sustainable Learning Setting by 2030, and integrates LfS across curriculum, culture, community and campus. Through a series of reflective questions, the framework supports teacher educators in diverse settings to develop and strengthen LfS.
Meaningful
Leann Fox is in her fourth year at the University of Stirling studying a BSc (Hons) Environmental Geography and Professional Education (Secondary). She believes the new framework will deliver significant benefits to student teachers across the country.
She said: “Climate change and sustainable development are arguably the most pressing matters of the 21st century. I feel it is important that all teachers – including those at the beginning of their careers – know how to create learning experiences which respond to these concerns, in ways which are meaningful to the lives of our young people.
“The new framework presents a unique and exciting opportunity to grow the confidence of student teachers like me, by exploring concepts, responding to pedagogical thinking more deeply and inspiring new possibilities. This creates a positive and supportive tool for new teachers to develop their own skills within Learning for Sustainability while informing practice for placement and beyond.”
Collaboration
A range of events and activities are planned where teacher educators can collaboratively explore the framework and next steps for implementation.
The new framework can be accessed on the SCDE website.
The SCDE and University of Stirling worked in collaboration with the General Teaching Council for Scotland, Education Scotland, Learning for Sustainability Scotland the Regional Centre of Expertise on Education for Sustainable Development, the University of Aberdeen, University of Dundee, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh Napier University, University of Strathclyde, University of the West of Scotland, University of Glasgow, Queen Margaret University, University of the Highlands and Islands, and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.