Climate Champions
Climate Champions is an exciting programme that integrates teaching on climate change into the Year 5 curriculum.
The programme integrates with topics across the primary curriculum, including science, geography, maths and art and design. Core science concepts such as weather, seasons and ecosystems are discussed throughout.
The United Nations has stated that education is critical to address climate change, as educated young people make informed decisions to change their attitudes and behaviour, and are empowered to take action.
Training and sessions
Once schools are signed up, teachers receive full training on the content and course delivery, as well as access to pre-prepared presentations, worksheets, mark schemes, schemes of work, lesson plans and a handbook containing everything needed to deliver the programme.
The programme itself consists of 3 lessons plus a competition. Each session covers a range of topics and is broken down below:
Session 1
- Introduction to climate science
- Impacts of climate change
- Understanding the carbon cycle
- Greenhouse gas effects
- Difference between climate and weather
- Exploration of some of the global and local impacts of climate change
- The effects of these on economic, social, political and environmental outcomes
Sessions 2 and 3
A focus on actions pupils can take at home and school to reduce their carbon footprint and impacts on the environment. Sessions will centre on 6 pillars of climate action:
FOOD
WATER
WASTE
BIODIVERSITY
ENERGY
TRANSPORT
Support and learning
Throughout the programme, pupils learn through a combination of presentations, videos, worksheets, quizzes and activities. Digital versions of resources are provided and teachers receive full training on how to deliver the programme.
Teachers are supported to address any concerns pupils may have, especially those centred on climate anxiety.
Competition and showcase
To showcase what they have learnt, all schools on the programme in the region participate in a competition. Teachers dedicate a lesson to introduce the competition and allow classes to plan their approach. Once the sessions have concluded, pupils will work together to produce a campaign focussing on a climate action the school community could take to reduce their carbon footprint. They need to produce a poster or leaflet, plus content for an assembly, which could include a video or presentation. This assembly is presented to judges and other schools on the programme at a celebration event. The school that wins the competition receives an eco-themed prize!
To find out more, email us here!
This programme is currently delivered in West Norfolk, thanks to funding and supporting from the Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk.
