Meet Josh Speer, Higher Education and Tutorial Manager at Bexhill 6th Form College
This month we’re finding out about the Carbon Literacy Award, a nationally recognised Level 3 award which Josh leads on.
What is the Carbon Literacy Award?
It’s a Level 3 (comprehension) qualification which we deliver to all of our students in year 1 though our tutorial programme in addition to their academic studies. The aim of the award is for students to develop green skills that will inform their future progression.
Students at our College come from diverse backgrounds with different focuses at home, different progression plans and career aspirations, so we’ve worked to adapt the award to ensure it’s as relatable as possible to all students. We ask them to consider carbon literacy in their own context at home and at college. They choose their own area of interest as part of the award and the first task in the qualification is to understand the importance to them now and their future.
How did Bexhill 6th form College get involved in delivering the award?
The College was contacted about two years ago by FE Sussex as part of the of the Skills Development Fund. We piloted the award with the Association of Colleges and the DfE with 90 of our students.
How many of your students take the award?
All of them! We have the largest educational cohort in the country currently certified as Carbon Literate. We originally piloted with 90 learners two year ago. Last year we delivered it to all of our A Level students and this year we are delivering it to all of our first year students regardless of qualification they are taking (A Level, BTEC and T Level). We have 1100 students studying the award this year.
How is it taught to your students?
The Carbon Literacy Trust provide a framework for colleges which we use to produce our own lessons. The award is delivered in tutorial time over four/ five weeks, starting in November. Students complete the lessons and write a short essay, an individual pledge and group pledge. The lessons include activities alongside teacher and peer input, as well as independent study. The pledges are about what students can do individually and collectively to cut their carbon footprint and be carbon neutral by 2030.
The group pledge can be made up of any group the students want, for example it could be their family, a sports club, group of friends etc… The work is marked in college and sent off to The Carbon Literacy Trust for certification. The certification costs £10 per student and we’re able to put some of our Uni Connect funds to support our Uni Connect learners taking the award. It doesn’t hold any UCAS points but is recognised by UCAS and employers.
How have staff found it?
All tutors see the value in this award, they enjoy delivering material and speaking to students about things which is happening right now and making it relatable. For example, the recent flooding in Hastings town centre made for conversations about coastal erosion, infrastructure, future-proofing and economic damage due to climate. Our Tutors love being able to speak about impactful, current issues.
How important to the college?
Very, it’s embedded in tutorial across whole college. The award is a big focus for the college. At the end of last year, we had a whole college staff INSET day with Uni of Reading (who are working with the DfE to embed sustainability in teacher training programmes), so staff can upskill own CPD in this area. During Green Careers Week, we had the Chamber of Commerce come in with a focus on sustainability.
It's part of the culture of the College, we talk about it at our open days, learners speak about it, we even had some students present at an event at Plumpton College last year. Because we are now teaching it to all our students from year 1, at least half of our students will have taken the award with the other half currently studying it. It’s truly embedded.
What advice do you have for schools and colleges wanting to find out more about the Award?
Ask for help, collaborate. Collaborate with other schools and colleges, with your staff and with your students. The UN’s SDG’s (Sustainability Development Goals) are all based on collaboration and teamwork. You need to try things out with your students and develop the programme each year. Be aware of the needs of your students. When students have existing anxiety or concerns about climate change you need to be mindful of the language you use and how you present things. It does involve work and commitment from your school or college but there’s a lot of support to help you get started and to keep going.
Where can people find out more?
There’s information on the Carbon Literacy Trust website and you can email them and people can contact me as well. The key to carbon literacy is collaboration and I’m more than happy to speak to schools and colleges about what we’re doing and ways we can support each other.
Carbon Literacy Trust or email education@carbonliteracy.com
Toolkit for post 16 educational organisations
Josh - email joshuaspeer@bexhillcollege.ac.uk or call 01424 214545 ext 1213