Teachers and leaders from across the East of England gathered at the University of East Anglia (UEA) to kickstart a collaborative effort towards climate and nature action. Hosted by UEA’s Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, the event was a vibrant mix of inspiration, practical advice, and networking opportunities aimed at empowering educational institutions to take meaningful climate action.
The day began with a warm welcome from Kit Marie Rackley, UEA Tyndall Centre’s Schools Climate Hub Coordinator and Climate Ambassadors East of England Regional Hub Manager, who set the stage by highlighting the importance of climate action in education. Attendees were introduced to the Climate Ambassadors Programme and its partnering sister projects, Lets Go Zero, National Education Nature Park and Sustainability Support for Education, key initiatives providing schools with access to expert support and resources to develop and implement climate action plans. Throughout the morning, participants engaged in interactive sessions, including registering on the STEM Learning Platform and meeting Climate Ambassadors through a dynamic “Just A Minute!” segment.
The afternoon was dedicated to hands-on workshops and collaborative planning. Educators participated in an auditing activity to assess their current sustainability practices and brainstormed actionable steps to enhance their climate action plans. The collaborative marketplace allowed attendees to explore different stalls, each offering unique insights into writing effective climate action plans, engaging staff, and integrating climate education across the curriculum.
The event was creatively recorded by local graphic artist, Rebecca Osborne, producing a colourful collage of key messages throughout the day.
Feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive. Claire Shenton, Deputy Headteacher at Catton Grove Primary School, appreciated the extensive support network, stating, “It was great to know there is a huge joined-up network of people to support us in this journey as educators.” Sarah McGowan, Curriculum Lead from Lakenham Primary School, noted the enthusiasm among her staff, saying, “Loved the artwork recording the session, enjoyed the different focus areas too. Came back to school and so many staff members have requested to be part of a working group!”
The event concluded with a clear path forward for schools, filled with practical ideas and a renewed sense of confidence. Tracey Willer, Sustainability Lead from Roydon Primary School, summed it up perfectly: “A fantastic event which has given me a clear path for my school and lots of ideas to move forward and put on our action plan.”
People in the Tyndall Centre’s community all would make perfect Climate Ambassadors. The scheme operates all around England, and so if you are interested in joining the volunteer team to support education settings with climate action, visit https://www.stem.org.uk/climate-ambassadors/stem-ambassadors.
