Having worked in environmental education for around 25 years this is genuinely one of the most exciting initiatives I’ve been involved in during that time.
Martyn Foster, Head of Education and Families for the RSPB
Having worked in environmental education for around 25 years this is genuinely one of the most exciting initiatives I’ve been involved in during that time.
We are thrilled to announce a new programme partnership between WWF, the RSPB and the Leadership Skills Foundation. For over 12 months the organisations have been working together to explore and develop the Environment Leaders Programme. The partnership has been driven by the joint value placed on the development of essential leadership skills to enable learners to lead positive change for nature and the environment.
And this month, a group of 25 trailblazing centres will kick-start the programme with their students (you can find their names at the foot of this post!) Working with us over the next six months, these centres will support the partnership to hone the programme in time for further roll out for additional centres in September 2024 (note your interest here to be the first to hear when the doors open for registration).
Lucy Supperstone, Director of Innovation and Standards at the Leadership Skills Foundation said:
“More than ever, young people are aware of the impact of our actions on nature and the planet. Nature and environment education has highlighted the importance of utilising essential leadership skills such as communication, teamwork and problem solving to enable individuals to carry out social action that makes positive change.
The Leadership Skills Foundation, alongside WWF and the RSPB have developed the Environment Leaders Programme to support young people to be able to lead social action activities and projects that impact on their local communities and beyond.
Ultimately, we hope that the Environment Leaders Programme inspires a generation to lead others in actions that create sustainable, positive change in the natural world.”
From 8 January 2024, phase 1 of the partnership will be initiated with our 25 “Trailblazer” sixth forms/colleges. This initial cohort of centres will allow the partnership to develop the Environment Leaders Programme through co creation with young people and deliverers – a much needed way of working that puts youth voice at the centre of our work.
This is a truly exciting phase, with up to 300 16–18-year-olds being given the opportunity to achieve a Level 3 Qualification in Leading a Project for Positive Change. The essential leadership skills developed through leading a project will be recognised as they plan, deliver and evaluate the project and their own leadership skills.
The programme is accessible to students through an online learning experience or through traditional classroom-based learning where a teacher can support during focused lessons. The resources are broken down into manageable sections to allow students time for reflection, planning, practically applied learning, and peer-to-peer support. The eLearning, tutor and peer-led approaches offer a flexible way of working that relieves strain on internal staff resources whilst having the additional benefit of introducing students to the more independent way of studying and working associated with tertiary education and employment.
Over the next three years the partnership will extend the Environment Leaders Programme to cater for younger learners and to support community delivery of environment and nature projects.
Jon Turner, Head of Education for WWF-UK said: “If we can support young people to develop the skills needed to make a difference, they have the potential to create vital and sustainable change in the world. I am immensely excited to be supporting the development of a programme that builds those very skills. The projects they will work on during the course of the programme will have a positive impact on nature and the environment around them, but that is just the beginning. They will take these skills into their futures and that is the vital thing.”
Martyn Foster, Head of Education and Families for the RSPB said: “Having worked in environmental education for around 25 years this is genuinely one of the most exciting initiatives I’ve been involved in during that time. The potential of this programme is enormous and the contribution that young people could make to tackling the nature and climate crises, through leading their own projects, gives real hope for the future. Young people’s futures are inextricably linked to the future of the natural world and this programme promises to help both.”
Lucy Supperstone added: “The partnership with WWF and the RSPB is a fantastic opportunity to support us in evolving our offer, ensuring that we engage young people through subjects that they are passionate about, whilst maintaining the development of leadership skills at the heart of all programmes.”
To note your sixth form/college’s interest in delivering the Environment Leaders Programme from September 2024, simply complete this short form and we will be in touch.
Please welcome our Trailblazer Centres for the Environment Leaders Programme!
