University of York pioneers 'green' teacher course
Posted on 20 September 2006
Teachers who join the course, starting next month, even have the opportunity of free rail travel to underscore the programme's environmentally friendly objectives.
Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) already has the backing of Prime Minister Tony Blair, as part of a DfES campaign to encourage schools to practice sustainable development and to link it to what pupils learn in the classroom.
The course is a partnership between the University's Department of Educational Studies, Specialist Schools and Academies Trust (SSAT), Yorkshire Forward and the Training and Development Agency (TDA) which is funding 45% of course fees for any qualified teacher. GNER, Virgin Trains and First TransPennine Express are supporting the course with free rail travel.
The University's ESD Focus Leader, James Pitt, said: "This is a great opportunity for teachers and others who are DOING something about sustainable schools to research and publicise their best practice! It could be action research, an evaluation of some existing initiative, or a case study of a particular school or programme. It fits in with the new Sustainable Schools strategy being promoted by the Government.
"The MA is not just for teachers. Anyone interested in sustainable development and education can apply - such as business-education partnerships, NGOs, or School Travel or Healthy School advisers, or companies that wish to engage more fully in education.
"We will teach participants educational research methods over nine evenings in the first term. In the second and subsequent terms, the ESD focus group will have a variety of research seminars, which will be arranged according to the wishes of the participants. We aim to build a community of practitioner-researchers in which everyone can learn from each other."
The Government's chief adviser on ESD, Dr Jake Reynolds, said: "As we push forward with sustainable schools it is essential that emerging practice is informed by good quality research from the people closest to the action: this course provides an ideal vehicle for this."
Judith Masters, Head of Programme CPD Strategy and Expertise for SSAT, added: "Never before has there been an opportunity for educationalists to pursue their interest in, and commitment to, education for sustainable development in this innovative way.
"The possibilities of researching areas of personal interest and to raise the profile of sustainability are huge and exciting. Quite apart from the fact that gaining accreditation for the research is satisfying, this opportunity should be seized with both hands."
Further information is available from the Department of Educational Studies, University of York. Tel: 07961 830 944 Email: jp24@york.ac.uk
Notes to editors:
- More information on ESD at http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/sustainableschools/