May 2019

  • Where has all the plastic gone?

    Where has all the plastic gone? Long time passing Where has all the plastic gone? Long time ago Where has all the plastic gone? Gone to recycling every one. Oh, when will we ever learn?  When will we ever learn?...

  • Angela Rayner on Rose and Curriculum

    I don't listen to the BBC's "flagship" Today programme, preferring my own prejudices first thing in the morning – and the more calming tones of Radio 3's Breakfast show.  But I see from the NAEE weekly update that Angela Rayner, Shadow Secretary...

  • You, the students ...

    As I noted yesterday, UKSCN has issued an open letter to government and educational institutions whose language contrasts with that in their 4 basic demands which you will find here. –  Demands 2 & 3 (apart from the emphasis on the national...

  • We, the students ...

    The UKSCN has issued an open letter to government and educational institutions.  I've set it out in full, below, and will comment on it tomorrow.  I'll just say, for now, that it makes a bit of a contrast with their...

  • A school striker in the family

    One of my granddaughters is striking tomorrow – but with permission which some say hardly counts, but read on as there is curriculum intent here.  This is the letter her parents received: Dear Parent/carer(s) School Strike for Climate Change Trip...

  • CLOtC wins international award

    Congratulations to the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom for winning the 2019 Dullest Conference Byline award (international).  There was tough competition for this annual award, but CLOtC's entry for their November 7th 2019 conference in Blackpool: Beyond the Classroom was the...

  • Cuckoo in the nest

    I heard my first cuckoo last weekend – calling over the fields.  Always a welcome event, even though the birds have well-evolved habits that (in humans) would be condemned as anti-social and have ASBOs in place. I was surprised to...

  • Is your flight really necessary?

    In last week's THE Joanna Kidman of the Victoria University of Wellington [ @JoannaKidman ] says that we need to talk about climate change.  The "we" being frequent flying academics like I used to be.  She begins: I arrived in Toronto during last...

  • Forget the people when it comes to climate change

    A noteworthy letter in The Times from some of the Green Great 'n' Good about what to do as a priority over climate change.  The authors were: Shaun Spiers, executive director, Green Alliance; Mike Clarke, chief executive, RSPB; Beccy Speight,...

  • The state of environmental education in England

    If you're an optimistic, glass-half-full sort of person, you might be tempted to think that this is an unusually bright time for environmental education in England despite the gloom of two recent reports from King's College London, and the fact that...