National Framework for Sustainable Schools

The national framework for sustainable schools comprises of eight sustainability ‘doorways’ or areas that schools should consider when thinking about their sustainability performance. Each can be taken forward through the major areas of school life –the curriculum, campus and community.

Doorway 1: Food and drink  (includes healthy eating)

By 2020, the Government would like all schools to be model suppliers of healthy, local and sustainable food and drink. Food should, where possible, be produced or prepared on site. Schools should show strong commitments to the environment, social responsibility and animal welfare. They should also seek to increase their involvement with local suppliers.

Doorway 2: Energy and water

By 2020 the Government would like all schools to be models of energy efficiency and renewable energy, showcasing wind, solar and bio-fuel sources in their communities, and maximising their use of rainwater and wastewater resources.

Doorway 3: Travel and traffic

By 2020 the Government would like all schools to be models of sustainable travel, where vehicles are used only when absolutely necessary and where there are exemplary facilities for healthier, less polluting or less dangerous modes of transport.

Doorway 4: Purchasing and waste  (includes recycling)

By 2020, the Government would like all schools to be models of sustainable procurement, using goods and services of high environmental and ethical standards from local sources where practicable, and increasing value for money by reusing, repairing and recycling as many goods as possible.

Doorway 5: Buildings and grounds  (includes habitats, biodiversity)

By 2020 the Government would like all school buildings to make visible use of sustainable design features and develop their grounds in ways that help pupils learn about the natural world and sustainable living, for example, through food growing and biodiversity conservation.

Doorway 6: Inclusion and participation

By 2020 the Government would like all schools to be models of social inclusion, enabling all pupils to participate fully in school life while instilling a long-lasting respect for human rights, freedoms, cultures and creative expression.

Doorway 7: Local well-being

By 2020 the Government would like all schools to be models of good corporate citizenship within their local areas, enriching their educational mission with activities that improve the environment and quality of life of local people.

Doorway 8: Global Dimension

By 2020 the Government would like all schools to be models of good global citizenship, enriching their educational mission with activities that improve the lives of people living in other parts of the world.

Solihull Council recognises Eco-schools, an International Award Scheme as being an effective vehicle for delivering ESD as part of whole school approaches advocated by DfES's National Framework.