UK Schools Sustainability Network

Bringing together regional networks of students to connect and collaborate, fully supported by school staff.

I enjoyed learning about how effective communication needs to engage with people's interests and emotions, and I hope to incorporate this advice into my school eco-activism and communication

Gabrielle, London Schools Eco Network

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Keep up-to-date with news, events and opportunities for your students, as well as thought leadership pieces on climate and sustainability education, with our Education newsletter.

The UK Schools Sustainability Network (UKSSN) was set up in Spring 2021 as an ‘umbrella’ to bring together regional schools sustainability networks. Through the regions and UKSSN, students and staff connected with peers, share ideas and resources, and collaborated on local, national and international initiatives. They were supported by each other and Global Action Plan and, through the projects, events, and initiatives they deliver, develop key personal, social and workplace skills.

By galvanising and coordinating youth voice, UKSSN quickly established itself as a driving force in the development of sustainability education policy and practice. The network won the Net Zero 50 People's Choice Award 2022 in recognition of its work in uniting students and educators to take climate action.

81%

of students felt more motivated to take action to help people and planet

88%

of staff said they had more skills to help other people and nature

member networks across the UK

Making schools, communities, regions and countries more aware of the climate and nature crises, and ultimately more sustainable, through collaboration and support, representation and inclusivity, and education and empowerment.

In November 2021 UKSSN took over 20 teenagers from 12 UK regions to COP26 to take part in ministerial and civil society events. During COP26 students appeared on high-profile livestreamed UK government panels, local and national radio and TV, even Good Morning Britain. They had meetings with the Secretary of State for Education and Minister of State for Environment, UN youth envoy for climate change and Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union and drop-ins to our UKSSN-PPL PWR green zone exhibition from the COP26 President and youth delegates fro Nigeria, Kenya and Nepal.

As a result of the above experiences at COP26, UKSSN students and staff were invited to sit on panels to influence the Department for Education’s climate and sustainability strategy, and the Department for Environment’s Landscapes Review and Access Forum consultations.

The UK Schools Sustainability Network took over 20 teenagers from 12 UK regions, all from different schools, to Glasgow for COP26 from 4-7 November 2021

St Christopher's Academy, part of the Northwest Sustainable Schools Network, created a video for Earth Day 2024 as part of the Transform Our World Summit.

Involvement with UKSSN is transformative for students. The chance to work together with peers from across the UK, to share ideas and learn from each other is so empowering. You can see them gaining confidence and becoming even more determined to lead action in their own communities.

Teacher lead of Yorkshire & Humber Schools Sustainability Network