At Usworth Colliery, we believe that caring for our planet is an important responsibility. By fostering an understanding and love for the natural world, we help our children grow into thoughtful, environmentally-aware citizens who will play a positive role in our world’s future.
We work together to create a school environment that reflects our commitment to sustainability. From planting trees to nurturing wildlife habitats, to integrating environmental themes into our learning, our goal is to make sustainability a part of everyday life at our school. Through hands-on projects, Forest School and our sustainability curriculum, we encourage children to explore ways they can help protect and sustain our planet, while deepening their appreciation for the beauty of nature.
Sustainability in the Curriculum
The Sustainability Curriculum incorporates themes from Eco Schools and the Sustainable Development Goals. It focuses on integrating key environmental themes and developing both knowledge and practical skills to foster a culture of sustainability. Throughout the curriculum, our children are challenged to think about what they learn and to apply their knowledge to form personal actions they can take in their own lives, both within school and the wider community.
Sustainability is woven into different subjects and projects across the school.
Our art and design technology (DT) curriculum incorporates sustainability by encouraging children to reuse and repurpose materials in their creative projects. Through these lessons, children learn to see potential in everyday items that might otherwise be thrown away, transforming them into meaningful and beautiful works of art or functional products.
For example, in a Year 4 DT project, the children reuse plastic bags to design and make kites. Not only do they learn valuable skills in planning, design, and construction, but they also gain a deeper understanding of the value of reusing resources to reduce waste and to help protect marine life.
At our school, sustainability is deeply embedded in the geography curriculum through the Social Responsibility units. We aim to inspire our children to understand the world around them and foster a sense of responsibility toward protecting it for future generations. Throughout their learning journey, children explore topics related to environmental stewardship, resource management, and ecological awareness.
For example, in year 3, the children learn all about biodiversity. In the unit of work, ‘What is biodiversity and why does it matter?’ they look at how humans can threaten the biodiversity of different areas and reflect on ways in which we can help and encourage biodiversity. In year 5, in the unit, ‘Our Changing World’, the children investigate what climate change is and how human activity is contributing to climate change. They examine the impact of climate change at both local and global levels, identify actions that can help protect the environment and potentially reverse some of its effects.
In PSHCE lessons, the Rights and Responsibilities units empower the children to develop a sense of social responsibility and environmental awareness. Through PSHCE, children explore topics like community involvement, respect for others, and the importance of caring for shared resources. They learn about their roles as global citizens, the impact of their actions on the environment, and ways to contribute positively to society. This approach helps children recognise the connections between personal choices, community well-being, and a sustainable future.
For example, in the year 2 lesson, ‘How can we look after our environment?’ children are introduced to the idea of protecting and caring for their school and local environment. The children learn how Harold has decided to improve his neighbourhood and reduce waste. The children explore ideas with him, like recycling, reducing litter, and conserving water in their local environment.
Through discussions and activities, the children reflect on the importance of making small, positive changes to protect the environment. They also think about how these actions contribute to the community's well-being and the health of the planet.
These are just some examples of how sustainability themes are threaded throughout our curriculum, empowering our children to make a positive difference in the world.
For further examples, please see our Progression of Skills and Knowledge document: Sustainability Curriculum. You will find a more detailed breakdown in the curriculum overviews and the units of work.
Sustainability
Sustainability Activities
Each year, our school enthusiastically takes part in national campaigns. In October, the whole school took part in Recycling Week and looked at the theme: "Rescue Me", which focused on rescuing recyclable items from ending up in the rubbish bin. The campaign encouraged everyone to recycle more, and helped the children understand the importance of reducing waste and protecting our environment. The message highlights to the children that small changes can collectively have a big impact on increasing recycling rates​ and make a big difference. The week concluded with an assembly where the children learnt all about the three R’s from the educational coordinator from the Gateshead Recycling Centre. We’re incredibly fortunate to have our own Forest School area. Some of our classes enjoy dedicated time in Forest School, where they benefit from outdoor activities that support their learning, well-being, and social skills. Through activities like exploring, building, natural art, and observing wildlife, children develop resilience, confidence, teamwork, and a sense of environmental responsibility, all while enjoying the freedom of outdoor learning. Our school is proud to have earned the Eco Schools Merit 2022-23, a testament to our commitment to environmental education, sustainable practices, and empowering our children to make a positive impact on the planet. Sustainability projects our children participate in regularly, include litter-picking around the school grounds and in our local community, planting trees in the school grounds, recycling initiatives and competitions, art projects and visits to the local Recycling centre to learn about the Three R’s. Our Eco Ambassadors are a keen and enthusiastic group of children who help lead the way in making our school a greener, more sustainable place. The Eco Committee meet regularly to discuss new ideas, plan eco-friendly projects, and support sustainability efforts around the school. For example, they help encourage and collect batteries for the Big Battery Hunt; plant wildflower areas; take part in litter picking in the school grounds; collect data which helps to inform our decisions as well as ensure that the classes are taking part in the different projects. They encourage their peers to take part in the Wow Living Streets Walk Campaign and give out badges as well as sharing information with their class and take part in local campaigns. Our belief is that we can all make a difference. At Usworth Colliery, we participate in the WOW Living Streets initiative, which encourages children and their families to walk, scoot, or cycle to school. By choosing active travel, we help reduce pollution, create safer streets, and promote healthier habits. Each journey helps us earn badges as a school, and every small step adds up to make a big difference for our environment! We’re excited to announce that Usworth Colliery is in the process of adopting an area within our local park. We look forward to involving the children in contributing and developing this area, giving the children a hands-on role in protecting and enhancing our local environment. Through planting native species and creating habitats, we will help improve the biodiversity of this area and make it more attractive to local wildlife. By taking care of this space, we aim to build a sense of pride and responsibility toward our local community. Our Preloved Uniform Exchange is a wonderful way for families to save resources, reduce waste, and support sustainability. By reusing uniforms, we can give clothing a second life, which helps reduce the need for new items and minimizes textile waste. How It Works: Our Preloved Uniform Exchange is a great example of how small actions can make a big difference. Together, we’re helping reduce waste and build a community that values sustainability. Our links with Gateshead Local Recycling Centre gives children first hand insights into recycling and waste reduction. Through our visits and workshops within school, children learn how recycling works and why reducing waste is crucial for the planet. This partnership helps us practice sustainable habits at school, from recycling paper and plastics to exploring ways to reduce waste overall. Together, these projects help us build a school culture that values sustainability and works toward a healthier, greener world.
