School Conference: Embedding climate change, nature and sustainability across the curriculum
Embedding climate change, nature and sustainability across the curriculum
The Centre for Climate Change and Sustainability Education at University College London is hosting a half-day conference for schools at UCL’s campus on Friday 19 June 2026. The aim of the conference is to support primary and secondary schools to embed issues relating to climate change, nature and sustainability across the curriculum.
The Final Report of the recent Curriculum and Assessment Review states that:
"The climate crisis is already impacting our physical landscape and many connected aspects of our lives. Given the significance of climate change for our society and the planet, it is crucial that young people benefit from an understanding of the climate crisis’s causes, consequences and possible solutions and that they are empowered with the necessary knowledge and skills to thrive in tomorrow’s industries and tackle the serious challenges facing our planet" [Page 40]
We know that the climate crisis will feature more strongly in science, geography, citizenship and design and technology from 2028 which is excellent news. The report also referred to curriculum content as only one part of the issue and that ‘pedagogy has an important role in applying an engaging climate lens to existing curriculum content’ (p41). This applies to all subjects on the curriculum.
The intended outcomes of the conference are for school colleagues to:
- Be inspired by schools who have started to embed climate change, nature and sustainability across their curriculums in different ways.
- Consider how to adapt and implement similar approaches in their own schools.
- Explore ways to increase the commitment and confidence of other teachers in their school to embed ecological perspectives in lessons.
- Be introduced to UCL’s Schools for Sustainable Futures programme and understand how to apply.
- Meet other colleagues keen to embed ecological perspectives in their curriculums.
Programme
12:15 Welcome, introductions and lunch
13:15 Keynote (to be confirmed)
13:45 Embedding climate change, nature and sustainability into teachers’ professional development
14:15 Case studies of curriculum innovation in schools (presented by schools participating in the pilot of UCL’s Schools for Sustainable Futures programme
15:00 Break
15:15 Choice of workshops led by school colleagues
16:00 UCL’s Schools for Sustainable Futures programme – what is it and how can schools become involved?
16:30 Close
How to register
To apply for a place, please use the link below. Note that there is a nominal cost of £20 per person to cover refreshments.
Please note that this invitation is going out to a small number of specific networks but it is still likely that demand will be high. We therefore encourage you to reserve a space as soon as possible before we fill up. There are 80 places available in total.
Location
The conference will take place in the Jeffery Hall at UCL’s Institute of Education which is located at 20 Bedford Way, London WC1H 0AL.
The nearest mainline stations are Euston and King’s Cross St Pancras. The nearest tube station is Russell Square.