UCL - Teaching climate change and sustainability

4 Summary of findings This report shares detailed findings as to the current state of climate change and sustainability education in England in 2022-23, with a particular focus on teachers’ practice and professional development. The results reveal both strengths and gaps in the provision of climate change and sustainability education in England. The report serves as an evidence base for researchers, policymakers and practitioners who seek to support teachers to fulfil their important roles in society’s transformation to a sustainable future. UCL’s Centre for Climate Change and Sustainability Education (CCCSE) conducted a survey of teachers in England entitled ‘What do climate change and sustainability education have to do with me?’. Between October and December 2022, teachers were invited to respond to an online questionnaire about their views and experiences. Teachers were recruited through email lists, professional networks, social media and via the CCCSE website. The questionnaire investigated their teaching practice, professional development, and sense of confidence and preparedness to incorporate climate change and sustainability into their teaching. It included a range of question types and generated quantitative and qualitative data. The survey gathered 870 responses, with over two thirds (70.7%) teaching at secondary level, and geography (41.3%) and science (37.2%) being the most frequently reported subjects taught. Those who responded represented a wide range of teaching experience, from one year to 20+ years, with university-led PGCE programmes the most commonly reported route into teaching (87.2%). The significant majority of respondents were female (73.9%) and from white backgrounds (90.5%).

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