Green Day is an annual, one-day event for schools that focuses on climate change and the built environment presented by the . Using a mixture of suggested lessons and whole-school activities, the initiative emphasise the cross-curricular nature of environmental issues and supports thematic approaches to learning. The event also supports schools to develop as sustainable places for the future.
Student participating in a Green Day event in Birmingham 2008 © lydiaevans.com
The beginnings of Green Day
Green Day was launched on World Environment Day, 5 June 2008, in Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds and Nottingham. Around 30,000 pupils in over 100 primary and secondary schools took part with up to 3,000 activity kits distributed. Some schools invited well-known figures to share their experiences and knowledge of environmental issues, with schools inviting personalities such as Ellen MacArthur, Joan Ruddock and Hilary Benn to make it a memorable day.
Green day: A climate change activity kit for schools
A Green Day activity kit
The Green Day activity kit guides schools in planning and preparing for an effective and smooth event. It provides a menu of activity ideas to inspire and help teachers integrate environmental themes across subjects at key stages 2 and 3.
The kit is flexible enough to allow schools to design an event that suits their needs and environmental goals. Something all teachers will find helpful is a list of organisations and initiatives associated with the climate change agenda, with useful web links to more resources.
Feedback from the inaugural event was very good. Most teachers said the activity kit was a great resource, with many participating schools using Green Day to launch their own long-term environmental commitment.
An updated activity kit is planned for release in spring 2009 (the 2008 version is still available to download on CABE’s website). The 2009 kit will be redesigned to offer even more ideas for inspiring teachers and students alike.
Students participating in a Green day event in Birmingham 2008 © lydiaevans.com
Green Day in 2009
CABE is planning to expand Green Day to run in eight core cities (Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds, Nottingham, Manchester, Sheffield, Newcastle and Liverpool). If your school is in one of these cities and you are interested in taking part, email education@cabe.org.uk for more information.
Green Day 2009 will take place on World Environment Day, 5 June, but schools may hold their event on any day up to 19 June 2009 allowing more schools a chance to participate.
CABE is hoping to get other organisations involved to support schools in the development and running of Green Day, to make the day for each school as successful as possible.
Why should my school take part?
Green Day is a great opportunity for your school to:
- help students learn more about climate change and how they can make their city a more sustainable place to live
- increase the energy efficiency of the school
- begin or make progress on the eco-school programme
- complete s3 - the Sustainable School’s self-evaluation tool, which is linked to the Ofsted self-review framework.
