Teachers
There are five key ways in which schools and youth organisations can become involved in Feet of Green.
1. School Projects Resources
We are aiming to create a one stop shop with links to ready prepared and free resources which support the National Curriculum at both primary and secondary level, particularly relating to environmental issues and the encouragement of adventure. If you are a teacher or youth leader you are encouraged to access these resources and to create and deliver projects with your pupils and students.
The crossing of Greenland in May 2008 was Feet of Green’s inaugural major event and was used by teachers and youth workers as a motivational focus. Pupils and students followed the adventurers on the ice and interacted with the Feet of Green Team from their school or home base via our satellite web links and blogs.
For more information click here: School Projects Resources
2. HTI – Go4It Initiative
Feet of Green have partnered with HTI the social enterprise working in partnership with business, education and government to enhance leadership, and the employability of young people. In 2007 HTI launched “Cotton Wool Kids” an Issues Paper authored by Sir Digby Jones which opened up the debate about releasing the potential for children to take risks and innovate. This urged schools to counter risk aversion by extending opportunities for children to experience, judge and manage risk through the curriculum and extracurricular activities.
This led to the Go4It initiative which is truly aligned with the ethos of Feet of Green. Alan Chambers is a champion of Go4it. In partnership with Go4it there are a series of events and competitions planned during 2008 for Go4it schools.You can become involved if your school is already a Go4it school or you can register your school with the Go4it scheme and then join in. This provides a ready made system for teachers which support the development of environmental awareness through Feet of Green whilst addressing cross curricular themes that are linked to the National Curriculum.
For more information on how to get involved: HTI – Go4It Initiative
3. Sustainable Schools Initiative
Feet of Green have partnered with the Eco-Schools initiative which operates internationally through the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE). In 2006 the Government launched their Sustainable Schools Framework setting out challenging long-term aspirations for schools to learn about sustainable development issues and to integrate sustainable practices into everyday school life.
Eco-Schools is an international award programme that guides schools on their sustainable journey, providing a framework to help embed these principles into the heart of school life. There are 40 countries around the world that run the Eco-Schools programme, linking more than 40,000 schools from the UK to France, from Morocco to South Africa.
Schools working towards gaining one of three awards – Bronze, Silver and the prestigious Green Flag award, which symbolises excellence in the field of environmental activity - are encouraged to work with Feet of Green on environmental projects.
Peter and Richard were delighted to have the opportunity to present to the FEE General Assembly on the 18th June 2008 in Cumbria a keynote talk at the dinner with representatives from over 40 countries running the Eco Schools programmes.
On the 19th June they also presented the highlights of the Crossing of Greenland to the FEE delegates and to the students of Cockermouth School which then received its green flag in recognition of its achievement in becoming an eco-school.
For more information on how to get involved: FEE - Eco-Schools Initiative
4. Extended Schools Communities and Partnerships
Feet of Green have linked up with the Extended Schools Communities and Partnerships in order to be able to work with networks of schools where teachers wish to set up their own inspirational environmentally focused projects. The Feet of Green team, including the ice-team, attend cross group events hosted in schools where cross curricular projects plans are shared and at the same time student meet the adventurers and engage in highly interactive and motivational sessions.
Participating schools follow the progress of the crossing of Greenland at the same time as tackling their school based projects and the ice-team come back to meet with them after the expedition in order to share experiences and recognise the achievements of the students and schools.
To find out about which Extended Schools Partnerships and Extended Schools Communities and specifically which schools are involved click here: List of Schools Involved
5. Shoots of Green – The Publication
We are providing the opportunity for schools that are taking an active part in the Feet of Green to involve their students in contributing to a major publication called Shoots of Green. The aim is to inspire children to see that their own views are important and worthy of publication and in doing so we will share opinions from diverse schools and regions.
Children express in their own words, the views of school children / students from schools throughout the UK about environmental challenges and opportunities. Schools involved in Feet of Green through the HTI Go4It programme or their Extended Schools Partnerships are able to contribute.
To find out more about how to contribute to Feet of Green click here: Shoots of Green – The Publication
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