Climate education team wins CATE award

A project team whose work is developing the climate educators of the future has received the Collaborative Award for Teaching Excellence (CATE) from Advance HE.

The Climate and Sustainability Education Framework for Initial Teacher Education was developed by the Institute of Education in response to the National Climate Education Action Plan established in Autumn 2021.

This cross-disciplinary project involved academic and professional services staff, students and external partners. The resulting Framework enables teacher educators and pre-service teachers across all subject disciplines to address climate change through local action.

Dr Jo Anna Reed Johnson (Associate Professor, Institute of Education) is team lead for the project. She said: "We were absolutely delighted to receive this prestigious CATE award that acknowledges the sector leading work and recognises the importance of collaboration in making change happen.

“We have demonstrated our ability to be creative curriculum innovators through the implementation of the Framework by different programme directors. We look forward to supporting others in this endeavour.”

The Framework is now used in all 18 initial teacher training programmes at Reading. It's also having a wider impact. In November 2023, the Department for Education announced plans to roll it out nationally. This means other teacher training providers can now use the Framework, encouraging collaboration across the country.

Professor Elizabeth McCrum, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Education and Student Experience), said: "This CATE award is a fantastic achievement. The team's work on climate and sustainability education is already having an impact in classrooms across the country. Making climate action a core part of learning at school will help the next generation to make a positive difference to our planet too.”

The CATE scheme, operated by Advance HE, recognises collaborative work that significantly impacts teaching and learning in higher education. As CATE winners, the Climate and Sustainability Education Framework team will continue to contribute to the enhancement of learning and teaching at Reading and beyond.