The Learning for Sustainability (LfS) Standard for Schools is designed to encourage all borough schools to consider how their activities help to develop a sustainable way of living with a view to creating a sustainable future for children and young people.

Cllr Paul Etherington, chairman of the sustainability panel, said:  “We face challenging times ahead with climate change and resource issues impacting on every area of life and placing our economic system under increasing stress - and children coming through our schools face a very different future to ours.

“The target is to have more than 50% of our schools achieving a ‘satisfactory’ rating on sustainability by 2010, ‘good’ status by 2015 and ‘outstanding’ by 2020. The good news is that addressing sustainability as a whole school brings immediate benefits; driving down costs, improving performance, providing opportunities to learn from the real world and capturing the creativity of school stakeholders.”

The LfS standard is part of an overarching LfS strategy for the borough approved by cabinet in May. All borough schools will be encouraged to complete a School LfS Framework which develops into an action plan to shape and direct future action and learning.

The framework, based on the Department for Children, Schools and Families’ sustainable school self-evaluation, covers 27 different aspects of school life from leadership and management to food and drink, energy and water, travel and traffic. The framework also supports awards such as the Berkshire Schools Travel Excellence Programme, Eco Schools, National Healthy Schools, International Schools and the Rights Respecting Award.

Cllr Eileen Quick, lead member for children’s services, said: “Making Learning for Sustainability an integral part of school life will help to focus children’s attention on how much of their daily activities are already contributing to sustainability - and how this contribution can be enhanced even further.”

Training and advisory support from the LfS Action Group, made up of council officers and external partners, is now available through a new website (www.rbwm.gov.uk/ecolfs <http://www.rbwm.gov.uk/ecolfs>) and an annual event will recognise successes.

As well as schools, other interested organisations are welcome to use the LfS model to address their sustainability issues. For further details contact Tim Morton, Learning for Sustainability coordinator, on 01628 796426.