(left to right): Angus Mackay (UNITAR); Professor Joy Carter CBE, DL (Vice-Chancellor, University of Winchester), Melanie Harwood (Harwood Education), and Dr Janice de Souza (Dean, Faculty of Education, University of Winchester).

World-first in climate change teaching for University of Winchester

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University of Winchester teacher training students are set to be among the world’s first United Nations accredited Climate Change Teachers.

Winchester is the first university in the world to offer student teachers the opportunity to undertake the Climate Change Teacher course, which is designed to equip future educators across all age groups and disciplines with the knowledge and confidence to deliver lessons on climate change. Students will cover a range of topics including climate change science, gender and environment, children and climate change, cities and climate change, and human health.

Winchester is one of the most highly sought-after universities for teacher education in the country, with OFSTED rating its primary and secondary teaching training ‘outstanding’ and consistently high rankings in league tables.

Dr Louise PagdenDr Louise Pagden, Co-Director of the University’s Institute of Education, said: “One of the most important issues children face is climate change. So this is set to become a really important part of how we train primary and secondary teachers of the future here at the University of Winchester.

“By training teachers to educate children about the impact of climate change, we will enable them to be responsible citizens of the future. Completing the course will give teachers confidence in their own understanding of the issues and in their position as a UN accredited specialist, to teach children effectively.”

Professor Joy Carter CBE said: “As the university for sustainability and social justice, I am really proud Winchester is the world’s first university to partner with the creators of the eduCCate Global Climate Change Teacher Academy to offer every student on our teacher training degree courses the chance to become a UN accredited Climate Change Teacher.

“Winchester is already leading the way in climate change education, which is embedded across our courses, inspiring students and staff to learn about the wide range of issues generated by this pressing global issue. As we prepare to tackle the climate emergency, this is a fantastic opportunity for us to be the first university to support the UN Sustainable Development Goal of having an accredited Climate Change Teacher in every school across the UK.”

The Climate Change Teacher course will be rolled out at Winchester over the coming academic year, with an official launch in spring 2020. Alongside the course, the University is hosting a series of public lectures for students, teachers, parents and the general public, jointly with WinACC (Winchester Action on Climate Change). The lectures will cover the course topics, including cities and climate change and human health and sustainable diet.