Conference programme
09:30 Welcome and introduction - Tom Humphreys, Chair of NEED
09:40 Leadership welcome - Cllr Jacqi Hodgson, Climate Change and Biodiversity
09:45 How do you grow a healthy child? Rewilding the classroom - Rachel Musson, Director of Education, Thoughtbox
When asked to think about where we feel most well, the majority of people tell stories of being in nature- sometimes with people, sometimes alone, but predominantly in wild and natural places and spaces. So why does being in nature make us feel so good?
On the most basic level, our nervous systems start to settle as the vagus nerve is stimulated and we tap into a deeper sense of ease. Stress levels drop, cognitive capacities increase and our wider sensory capacities are activated, helping us feel more connected to ourselves, to each other and to the wider world. Research shows that when we spend time in the natural world we become more curious: we learn to pay attention, to notice, to become more compassionate. We start to relate differently and become more caring in our actions.
As schools begin to focus attention on adaptation, biodiversity and curriculum enhancement through climate-action plans, opportunities exist to welcome a more holistic and embedded approach. In this keynote address, we will explore some of the foundational principles of healthy life-systems to understand how to bring these same qualities alive inside the classroom as well as when out in the wider natural world. By understanding how to listen to the natural rhythms and patterns in our own lives, we can learn how to ignite our own capacity to flourish as well as enable the flourishing of the children we work with and the communities we are supporting.
Key themes: Systems-theory; nature-connection; wellbeing; curriculum enrichment; biodiversity; adaptation; ecopsychology; self-care; connected classrooms; holistic, integrated practice.
10:45 Refreshments, networking and exhibition
11:15 How your school grounds can help you deliver your Climate Action Plan (CAP) - Mary Jackson, Head of Innovation and Education, Learning through landscapes
School grounds provide a range of opportunities for your pupils to activity take part in how you deliver your CAP.
Whilst looking at ways to increase biodiversity on school grounds – especially through the National Education Nature Park - may be the first thing that springs to mind the way school grounds are used, developed and managed can help you focus on adaptation and resilience, curriculum and green careers and even decarbonisation too in ways that pupils can get involved with, and even lead the way.
12:15 Move to workshop 1
12:20 Workshop 1 - workshops to include
- National Education Nature Park: Community science for impact at school and beyond
- Growing a Greener School: Starting and developing a successful school composting programme
- Sustainability and Climate Change Leadership: embedding climate action into statutory and non-statutory guidance
- Quick wins and longer term strategies for saving energy in your school
13:20 Lunch, networking and exhibition
14:15 Sustainability in Action: Embedding Climate Responsibility Across School Communities - Ben Nelson-Smith, Headteacher and Carrie Searle, Forest school and sustainability Lead, Trinity C of E Primary School – Academies for Character and Excellence
As school and trust leaders, we believe that sustainability should be embedded into every aspect of education, not viewed as a standalone initiative. In this keynote, we will share our journey of integrating sustainability at both school and trust level, demonstrating how environmental responsibility can become a core part of strategic planning, curriculum design, operational practice and community engagement.
We will explore how our schools are bringing sustainability to life through pupil leadership, climate action projects, curriculum innovation, biodiversity initiatives, waste reduction programmes and meaningful engagement with local communities. Alongside this, we will discuss how a trust-wide approach can create coherence, shared ambition and greater impact through aligned policies, collaborative working and a collective commitment to sustainable development.
15:00 Move to workshop 2
15:10 Workshop 2 - workshops to include
- National Education Nature Park: Community science for impact at school and beyond
- Growing a Greener School: Starting and developing a successful school composting programme
- Sustainability and Climate Change Leadership: embedding climate action into statutory and non-statutory guidance
- Quick wins and longer term strategies for saving energy in your school
16:10 Close of conference - a continued chance for networking and discussion with the exhibition
Sessions and timings are subject to change
