January 2020

  • Can Tomlinson replace GCSEs?

     Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders [ @RealGeoffBarton ] thinks so.  What follows is the beginning of his article in the TES late last year: "In Bristol this week, at the annual conference of...

  • Greta's further education: how to pay for the planet

    Commenting on what Greta Thunberg had to say at Davos, the US Treasury Secretary dismissed her with the thought that she really ought to go to college to study some economics.  So here's a non-mainstream suggestion for her. Economist Ann...

  • The Greta and Donald Show (part 67)

    David Aaronovich has called Trump v Thunberg "the battle of our age" and both were at the annual Davos shindig where climate change was the theme despite the prevalence of private jets.  I don't know about you but I thought that...

  • QAA Scotland takes a resolute step sideways

    A rumour is abroad that the Quality Assurance Agency in Scotland is going to make ESD the focus of a new enhancement theme.   In case you don't know (and why should you?), these themes aim to improve the learning experience of...

  • Looking Ahead for Environmental Education

    GEEP has been conducting an survey of its members looking ahead for environmental education.  The questions (and my personal responses) are here: 1. Think back over the last 15-20 years – What is one big step forward in the field...

  • Margaret Thatcher green visionary

    I wrote last Friday morning about the BBC's Green originals series which showcases 15 people who have made a difference to our understanding of how humans are affecting the balances within natural systems. On Friday afternoon, the BBC's 10th programme...

  • Sound environmental education from the BBC

    Have you been listening to the BBC's Green Originals series?  These 15 excellent brief (15 minute) programmes started in January and will end next week. I thought them well researched (as you’d expect) and full of detail.  Who knew that...

  • Amending the 2002 Education Act

    18 years on, some people's thoughts turn to the revision or replacement of the 2002 Education Act.  This is the act of parliament that still governs all schooling in England and it dates from 5 governments ago (although it has...

  • How huge is the UK's share of historical CO2 emissions?

    In its end of year round-up, UKSCN included the following paragraph: "We are looking to COP26 in Glasgow as an opportunity to shed a light on the UK’s lack of climate ambition.  As a country responsible for a huge share...

  • New words of the year

    The Economist's Johnson column had a new year article on how new words in 2019 reflect the rise of climate-change activism.  Here are a few of my favourites: – Germany –  Heisszeit, “Heat Age” – The Netherlands – laadpaalklever, “charging-post sticker”...