Leadership for Sustainability

Mobilised by the rousing words and protests of Greta Thunberg, young people all over the globe are calling for more action to combat climate change and better protect their futures. Yet they cannot do this alone. They are reliant on people in positions of power to set the necessary changes in motion - and these people include their own school leaders operating within their own local communities. This book is a rallying cry for all schools to unleash their potential to deliver a brighter future for both their pupils and society at large. David Dixon draws on both his doctoral research and his 20 years' experience as a head teacher to set out how school leaders can embed eco-friendly practices in the day-to-day running of their schools that will also contribute to overall school improvement, including that recognised by inspectors. David weaves his guidance around the 'five Cs of sustainability' - captaincy, curriculum, campus, community and connections - to position sustainability as a natural vehicle for developing a type of fully integrated learning ecology and culture for the benefit of all. The book provides a detailed analysis of where we are now in terms of environmental impact, and lays out a road map to help schools move towards more effective eco-friendly provision. It shares practical examples of sustainability in schools and how these contribute to school improvement in the wider, more conventional sense too. Furthermore, each chapter concludes with a series of suggested strategies to encourage further thought and discussions among school stakeholders. Suitable for school leaders, teachers and teacher trainers - in both primary and secondary settings - and for any professionals who work in schools on environmental education or improvement projects. ; Written by David Dixon, Leadership for Sustainability: Saving the planet one school at a time is a stirring and informative greenprint to help school leaders play their part in making their schools more environmentally friendly and better places to learn for all. ; Rooted in experience and encouragement of what can be achieved, Leadership for Sustainability provides school leaders with an inspiring 'greenprint' for embedding sustainability throughout school communities. Every school should have access to this book to support their vital role at the centre of education for sustainability, so that every young person is equipped for a healthier, happier and fairer future. Dr Elizabeth Rushton. ; In Leadership for Sustainability David Dixon provides inspiration and practical advice on how to embed sustainability, based on significant evidence and authority of experience working across multiple schools. But he argues there is a moral 'captaincy' required to take the initiative in the face of wider system and external pressure, echoed by Lord Knight in the foreword. Leadership for Sustainability is not a neutral book. At each turn, Dixon's personal values and purpose shine through his words, and he is unafraid to challenge the status quo and big names. He elegantly describes what it really means to be a leader with sustainability as one of your values, as much as the operational process by which you might accomplish the aim of moving your school estate to net zero. The provocations and reflections in each chapter help to frame the discussions, and form the starting point for your own journey towards leadership for sustainability, if you have courage enough to grasp them. This is a provocative and challenging book for traditional leadership models. Dixon looks at the key ideas that shape thinking about sustainability, with well-recognised theories made accessible to all, and builds on his doctoral study of successful Eco-Schools leaders to explore methods, policies and language approaches, and ways to embed the existing knowledge and Sustainable Development Goals structures into schools effectively. He also examines the ways that curriculum can be used to educate and info