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Doorways to Sustainable Schools

Doorways to Sustainable Schools

By Martin Crabbe

Doorways to Sustainable Schools aims to consider practical actions that schools could take to help them engage in London Climate Action Week 2021 (26th June - 4th July).

This podcast will focus on the journey of one teacher as he tries to help his school become more sustainable by trying out some inspirational ideas from some of London's most amazing people.
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Introducing Doorways to Sustainable Schools with Martin Crabbe

Doorways to Sustainable SchoolsJul 02, 2020

00:00
34:04
Adapting to the Climate Crisis with Morgan Phillips

Adapting to the Climate Crisis with Morgan Phillips

In this episode Martin talks to Morgan Phillips, author of the brilliant new book Great Adaptations - In the Shadow of a Climate Crisis (http://theglaciertrust.org/great-adaptations). Morgan is a real expert in environmental education and is currently Project Designer for Global Action Plan (https://www.globalactionplan.org.uk) and Co-Director of The Glacier Trust (http://theglaciertrust.org/).  Martin and Morgan discuss Morgan's career in environmental education, his new book, and how schools can adapt to climate change. 

Other links mentioned in the podcast: 


Start your school's journey into sustainability: 

This podcast was produced by The Pod Farm. (https://www.thepodfarm.com/)

Oct 29, 202101:24:53
The Magical Orange Doorway - Chapter Four

The Magical Orange Doorway - Chapter Four

A magical audio-story, created to launch a sustainable food project.

Minerva is in trouble - but for Edmund to find her, he must first work out how to get to Peru though the magical orange doorway. Edmund seeks the help of a wise old standing stone...

Background

This story has been created for London Climate Action Week during a global pandemic. It is inspired by zoom meetings and by a belief that despite everything there is much hope and magic.  The story launches a sustainable food project between two groups of young people: Year 7 students at Glebe School, an SEN school in the London Borough of Bromley and young people in a refuge on the outskirts of Lima, Peru.

How will this work

  • students in both places (initially Glebe, later Lima) will trial their school food project
  • their feedback will be presented monthly by 'Minerva' and 'Edmund' in the form of a new episode of the magical orange doorway
  • at the same time, a blog will be written (hosted by Semble) discussing 'learnings' from experts in the field
  • the project will continue for 12 months and will report its findings to COP26

The project has two parallel journeys:

  • A school based case study based around sustainable food, language, culture, and place. It is part of a wider school project called Proyecto Peru
  • A working group of experts that will advise, critique and support the schools based on their own expertise in education, sustainable food, language, culture, and place

People

The voice of Edmund and the narration are by Martin Crabbe, Head of Geography at Glebe School. Martin was inspired to write this story by the grandmother of Martin Allen Morales , by the Wild Area and by so many other things!

The voice of Minerva is played by Leydis Vollar, Head of Modern Foreign Languages at Glebe School. Leydis will also translate each episode of the story into Spanish for our friends in Peru.

People who are about to become involved...

Mark McKillop, Head of RE, Glebe School

Martin Allen Morales - advisor, inspiration

Malini Mehra - advisor

The young people of Glebe and in the refuge in Lima

Many other experts as we continue.

And if this magical story inspires you why not get involved from your own perspective? And tell us how you get on.

Start your school's journey into sustainability:

This podcast was produced by The Pod Farm. (https://www.thepodfarm.com/)

Oct 18, 202125:12
London Schools Eco-Network with Dr Jessica Tipton

London Schools Eco-Network with Dr Jessica Tipton

In this episode, Martin talks to Dr Jessica Tipton about the London Schools Eco-Network (https://twitter.com/ldnschoolseco). Jess was recently awarded the School Changemaker of the Year 2021 at the Sustainable City Awards www.globalactionplan.org.uk/about-us/sustainable-city-awards

Jess will be one of the panelists at the Schools Climate Summit on 29th June 2021 in our 'deep dive' into Community: http://www.londonsustainableschools.org/uploads/1/5/7/4/15747734/scs_programme-full-22-6.pdf 

Jess has a rich and varied background in Russian language and culture, music, civil service and teaching, and is currently Head of Youth Networks at Global Action Plan (https://www.globalactionplan.org.uk/). Jess also convenes the London and South East Schools Eco-Network and was recently made a Fellow of the National Association for Environment Education (http://naee.org.uk/about-naee/naee-fellows/). She previously worked for ten years at the UK Department for Environment (DEFRA) and on the Teach the Future campaign (https://www.teachthefuture.uk) to reform the English education system to reflect the severity of the climate and ecological crises.

Jess and Martin talk about how the various eco-networks formed, and the projects that the students from the networks have been involved in.

Start your school's journey into sustainability:

This podcast was produced by The Pod Farm. (https://www.thepodfarm.com/)

Jun 25, 202146:41
In Search of Aether with Natasha Freedman & Rhuti Carr of Studio 2909

In Search of Aether with Natasha Freedman & Rhuti Carr of Studio 2909

In this episode, Martin talks to Natasha Freedman and Rhuti Carr from Studio 2909 (https://www.studio2909.org/) about their current project - In Search of Aether (https://www.studio2909.org/in-search-of-aether)

Studio 2909 broker conversations around social justice, human health and the health of the environment, enabling collaborations between artists, scientists, environment and health professionals, communities, schools, the higher education sector, local councils, youth, health and environmental organisations. They support schools to enhance their creative offer and embed cross-curricular approaches to learning, and support young people to develop their voice around issues that concern them, nurturing their sense of empowerment.

In Search of Aether explores our right to clean air and to accessing the head space to imagine positive visions of the future. It focuses on breath as a practical tool for managing anxiety and powering the voice, and as a framework for inter-disciplinary learning across Science, PSHE, Civics, Geography, English and Music. Working with secondary schools in some of the London boroughs with the worst air quality and health inequalities, it supports cross-curricular and creative thinking, helping teachers and pupils understand the health impacts of air pollution and develop their sense of empowerment to bring about change in their own behaviour and in their local community.

As well as hearing all about this project, you'll hear some wonderful clips from the work of the students involved.

Start your school's journey into sustainability:

This podcast was produced by The Pod Farm. (https://www.thepodfarm.com/)

Jun 11, 202157:38
La Puerta Naranja Mágica - Capítulo Uno

La Puerta Naranja Mágica - Capítulo Uno

This episode is the Spanish version of chapter one of The Magical Orange Doorway, translated by Leydis Vollar for the young people in Lima, Peru, and created to launch a sustainable food project.

Background

This story has been created for London Climate Action Week during a global pandemic. It is inspired by zoom meetings and by a belief that despite everything there is much hope and magic.  The story launches a sustainable food project between two groups of young people: Year 7 students at Glebe School, an SEN school in the London Borough of Bromley and young people in a refuge on the outskirts of Lima, Peru.  


How will this work

  • students in both places (initially Glebe, later Lima) will trial their school food project.
  • their feedback will be presented monthly by 'Minerva' and 'Edmund' in the form of a new episode of the magical orange doorway
  • at the same time, a blog will be written (hosted by Semble) discussing 'learnings' from experts in the field
  • the project will continue for 12 months and will report its findings to COP26

The project has two parallel journeys:

  • A school based case study based around sustainable food, language, culture, and place. It is part of a wider school project called Proyecto Peru.
  • A working group of experts that will advise, critique and support the schools based on their own expertise in education, sustainable food, language, culture, and place.

People

The voice of Edmund is played by Martin Crabbe, Head of Geography at Glebe School. Martin was inspired to write this story by the grandmother of Martin Allen Morales , by the Wild Area and by so many other things you will have to wait until his blog comes out next week on Semble (Wednesday 25th November)!

The narration and voice of Minerva are played by Leydis Vollar, Head of Modern Foreign Languages at Glebe School. Leydis will translate each episode of the story into Spanish for our friends in Peru.


People who are about to become involved...Mark McKillop, Head of RE, Glebe School Martin Allen Morales - advisor, inspiration Malini Mehra - advisor The young people of Glebe and in the refuge in Lima Many other experts as we continue.

And if this magical story inspires you why not get involved from your own perspective? And tell us how you get on.


Start your school's journey into sustainability:

This podcast was produced by The Pod Farm. (https://www.thepodfarm.com/)

May 07, 202124:04
The Magical Orange Doorway - Chapter Three

The Magical Orange Doorway - Chapter Three

A magical audio-story, created to launch a sustainable food project.

In this chapter Minerva steps through the magical orange doorway, explores the Wild Area and meets the tyre-swingers. Everyone receives a visit from a giant, and then they plan a special event...

Background

This story has been created for London Climate Action Week during a global pandemic. It is inspired by zoom meetings and by a belief that despite everything there is much hope and magic.  The story launches a sustainable food project between two groups of young people: Year 7 students at Glebe School, an SEN school in the London Borough of Bromley and young people in a refuge on the outskirts of Lima, Peru.

How will this work

  • students in both places (initially Glebe, later Lima) will trial their school food project
  • their feedback will be presented monthly by 'Minerva' and 'Edmund' in the form of a new episode of the magical orange doorway
  • at the same time, a blog will be written (hosted by Semble) discussing 'learnings' from experts in the field
  • the project will continue for 12 months and will report its findings to COP26

The project has two parallel journeys:

  • A school based case study based around sustainable food, language, culture, and place. It is part of a wider school project called Proyecto Peru
  • A working group of experts that will advise, critique and support the schools based on their own expertise in education, sustainable food, language, culture, and place

People

The voice of Edmund and the narration are by Martin Crabbe, Head of Geography at Glebe School. Martin was inspired to write this story by the grandmother of Martin Allen Morales , by the Wild Area and by so many other things!

The voice of Minerva is played by Leydis Vollar, Head of Modern Foreign Languages at Glebe School. Leydis will also translate each episode of the story into Spanish for our friends in Peru.

People who are about to become involved...

Mark McKillop, Head of RE, Glebe School

Martin Allen Morales - advisor, inspiration

Malini Mehra - advisor

The young people of Glebe and in the refuge in Lima

Many other experts as we continue.

And if this magical story inspires you why not get involved from your own perspective? And tell us how you get on.

Start your school's journey into sustainability:

This podcast was produced by The Pod Farm. (https://www.thepodfarm.com/)

Apr 30, 202144:02
Replay: Learning From Insects with Bridget Nicholls of Pestival

Replay: Learning From Insects with Bridget Nicholls of Pestival

To mark the start of Pestival project 'Make More Insects', we are replaying the interview Martin did with the remarkable Bridget Nicholls. 

Bridget conceived of Pestival (http://www.pestival.org/) in 2004, and has gained international status as a world authority on eco-entertainment, in particular cultural entomology. In 2010 she was awarded the first International Zoo Art Fellowship of the Zoological Society of London, a role created for her, voted Woman to Watch – Cultural Leadership Programme 2010 and named CRZ Cultural Engineer by Honda for her outstanding sustainable and ecological entrepreneurship. More recently, Nicholls won a Capital Awards Grant from the Wellcome Trust to fund her ongoing work with the Pestival mission.

Martin and Bridget discuss how insects inspired Bridget to create Pestival, how out of the box thinking can enhance schools and learning, and Bridget teases her brand new project 'Make More Insects (by any means possible!)'.

Other links mentioned in the podcast:

Start your school's journey into sustainability:

This podcast was produced by The Pod Farm. (https://www.thepodfarm.com/)

Apr 16, 202141:35
Munros, Forest Schools and 'Linking the Thinking' with Douglas Crabbe
Feb 16, 202144:08
Learning From Insects with Bridget Nicholls of Pestival

Learning From Insects with Bridget Nicholls of Pestival

This week Martin is talking to the remarkable Bridget Nicholls. Bridget conceived of Pestival (http://www.pestival.org/) in 2004, and has gained international status as a world authority on eco-entertainment, in particular cultural entomology. In 2010 she was awarded the first International Zoo Art Fellowship of the Zoological Society of London, a role created for her, voted Woman to Watch – Cultural Leadership Programme 2010 and named CRZ Cultural Engineer by Honda for her outstanding sustainable and ecological entrepreneurship. More recently, Nicholls won a Capital Awards Grant from the Wellcome Trust to fund her ongoing work with the Pestival mission.

Martin and Bridget discuss how insects inspired Bridget to create Pestival, how out of the box thinking can enhance schools and learning, and Bridget teases her brand new project 'Make More Insects (by any means possible!)'.

Other links mentioned in the podcast:

Start your school's journey into sustainability:

This podcast was produced by The Pod Farm. (https://www.thepodfarm.com/)

Jan 29, 202141:50
A Teacher's Perspective On COVID-19 From Inside a School

A Teacher's Perspective On COVID-19 From Inside a School

In this episode Martin speaks as the voice of one teacher, talking in a time of crisis, from the perspective of one school. Martin talks from a purely personal perspective on the current COVID-19 situation, the new lockdown and the role school's have played in the run up to the decision, 

Martin examines how his school is coping with the new lockdown, how things have changed since the first lockdown in March 2020, and he explores these topics through a mantra he uses throughout his geography field work lesson - safety first, fun second, learning third.

Finally, Martin shares some exciting news about a series of meetings leading up to the Schools Climate Summit, and a renewed focus for sustainable schools.

To find out more about some of the resources Martin talked about in the podcast:

To find out more about 

Start your school's journey into sustainability:

This podcast was produced by The Pod Farm. (https://www.thepodfarm.com/)

Jan 07, 202131:44
The Need for a London Schools Summit on Climate with Malini Mehra

The Need for a London Schools Summit on Climate with Malini Mehra

In this episode, Martin talks with co-chair of the London Climate Action Week Schools Group, Malini Mehra. Malini is the CEO of GLOBE International (http://globelegislators.org/), the environmental legislators organisation. She has more than three decades of experience on sustainability, gender, human rights and climate in multiple sectors. From leading international campaigns for Friends of the Earth International, Oxfam and other NGOs to founding an award-winning Indian climate & sustainability NGO, she has co-authored the UN’s Human Development Reports and advised the UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, on UN reform. Currently, she is a commissioner to the Mayor of London on sustainable development, and an adviser to the head of the UN’s disaster risk agency. A keen swimmer, she founded the Teach A Girl To Swim (https://teachagirltoswim.org/) campaign to highlight the hidden global epidemic of drowning and connect it with the climate crisis and girls empowerment. She is based in London, where she raises her three children, and helped initiate the annual London Climate Action Week. 

Martin and Malini reflect on the successes of this year's event, what lessons they learned from it, how the pandemic has changed not just the event, but the conversation around climate, and the need for a unified direction for schools to take climate action.

Catch up on events from this year's LCAW:

Start your school's journey into sustainability:

This podcast was produced by The Pod Farm. (https://www.thepodfarm.com/)

Dec 17, 202039:18
The Magical Orange Doorway - Chapter Two

The Magical Orange Doorway - Chapter Two

A magical audio-story, created for London Climate Action Week 2020, to launch a sustainable food project.

In this chapter Edmund gets another visit from Minerva the magical Jaguar, who brings a Christmas message for him and the year 7 students of Glebe school...

Background

This story has been created for London Climate Action Week during a global pandemic. It is inspired by zoom meetings and by a belief that despite everything there is much hope and magic.  The story launches a sustainable food project between two groups of young people: Year 7 students at Glebe School, an SEN school in the London Borough of Bromley and young people in a refuge on the outskirts of Lima, Peru.

How will this work

  • students in both places (initially Glebe, later Lima) will trial their school food project
  • their feedback will be presented monthly by 'Minerva' and 'Edmund' in the form of a new episode of the magical orange doorway
  • at the same time, a blog will be written (hosted by Semble) discussing 'learnings' from experts in the field
  • the project will continue for 12 months and will report its findings to COP26

The project has two parallel journeys:

  • A school based case study based around sustainable food, language, culture, and place. It is part of a wider school project called Proyecto Peru
  • A working group of experts that will advise, critique and support the schools based on their own expertise in education, sustainable food, language, culture, and place

People

The voice of Edmund and the narration are by Martin Crabbe, Head of Geography at Glebe School. Martin was inspired to write this story by the grandmother of Martin Allen Morales , by the Wild Area and by so many other things!

The voice of Minerva is played by Leydis Vollar, Head of Modern Foreign Languages at Glebe School. Leydis will also translate each episode of the story into Spanish for our friends in Peru.

People who are about to become involved...

Mark McKillop, Head of RE, Glebe School 

Martin Allen Morales - advisor, inspiration 

Malini Mehra - advisor 

The young people of Glebe and in the refuge in Lima 

Many other experts as we continue.

And if this magical story inspires you why not get involved from your own perspective? And tell us how you get on.

Start your school's journey into sustainability:

This podcast was produced by The Pod Farm. (https://www.thepodfarm.com/)

Dec 17, 202009:12
Celebrating Some Highlights From London Climate Action Week 2020

Celebrating Some Highlights From London Climate Action Week 2020

Today's podcast is a special celebration of London Climate Action Week 2020 (https://www.londonclimateactionweek.org/). The week had over 200 events, with over 30,000 people taking part across a huge range of sectors. Due to pandemic, the majority of the events took place virtually - but they weren't any less inspiring! 

This episode aims to give you a flavour of the week with a focus on schools and the young people involved, so Martin has selected a montage of clips from his favourite things from the week.

The first clip is the Choose Life! video inspired by the film Trainspotting, and, followed by the LCAW launch film. Following that is an introduction to the Let's Go Zero campaign (https://letsgozero.org/) with Alex Green from Ashden (https://ashden.org/) featuring a short clip of an interview with Martin. Then there's a poem from poet Rakaya Fetuga at the Ashden Awards, followed by an interview led by Studio 2909 (https://www.studio2909.org/) with sixth form students from Sydney Russell School in Dagenham. After that is a few words from Zamzam Ibrahim - president of the NUS, then clips from the Semble (https://semble.org/) webinar Supporting Youth Climate Action in our Communities, featuring Amanda Horton-Mastin, Carley Sefton, Mya-Rose Craig, and the incredible Eco Emeralds.

Events and other links featured in the podcast:

Start your school's journey into sustainability:

This podcast was produced by The Pod Farm. (https://www.thepodfarm.com/)

Dec 03, 202001:13:31
The Magical Orange Doorway - Chapter One

The Magical Orange Doorway - Chapter One

A magical audio-story, created for London Climate Action Week 2020, to launch a sustainable food project.

Background
This story has been created for London Climate Action Week during a global pandemic. It is inspired by zoom meetings and by a belief that despite everything there is much hope and magic.

The story launches a sustainable food project between two groups of young people: Year 7 students at Glebe School, an SEN school in the London Borough of Bromley and young people in a refuge on the outskirts of Lima, Peru.

How will this work

  • students in both places (initially Glebe, later Lima) will trial their school food project.
  • their feedback will be presented monthly by 'Minerva' and 'Edmund' in the form of a new episode of the magical orange doorway
  • at the same time, a blog will be written (hosted by Semble) discussing 'learnings' from experts in the field
  • the project will continue for 12 months and will report its findings to COP26

The project has two parallel journeys:

  • A school based case study based around sustainable food, language, culture, and place. It is part of a wider school project called Proyecto Peru.
  • A working group of experts that will advise, critique and support the schools based on their own expertise in education, sustainable food, language, culture, and place.

People

The voice of Edmund and the narration are played by Martin Crabbe, Head of Geography at Glebe School. Martin was inspired to write this story by the grandmother of Martin Allen Morales , by the Wild Area and by so many other things you will have to wait until his blog comes out next week on Semble (Wednesday 25th November)!

The voice of Minerva is played by Leydis Vollar, Head of Modern Foreign Languages at Glebe School. Leydis will also translate each episode of the story into Spanish for our friends in Peru.

People who are about to become involved...
Mark McKillop, Head of RE, Glebe School
Martin Allen Morales - advisor, inspiration
Malini Mehra - advisor
The young people of Glebe and in the refuge in Lima
Many other experts as we continue.

And if this magical story inspires you why not get involved from your own perspective?
And tell us how you get on.

This podcast was produced by The Pod Farm. (https://www.thepodfarm.com/)

Nov 18, 202019:42
What's Happening During London Climate Action Week 2020

What's Happening During London Climate Action Week 2020

London Climate Action Week 2020 (https://www.londonclimateactionweek.org/) starts on Saturday 14th November and as an aim of this podcast is to get schools involved in LCAW, Martin shares some highlights to expect in the coming week. You can check out the full diary of events here (https://www.londonclimateactionweek.org/events).

Martin also talks about episodes of the podcast that will be highlighted during the week, The School's Pack of free lesson plans (http://www.londonsustainableschools.org/london-climate-action-week.html), and a special surprise for Wednesday lunchtime...

Events mentioned in the podcast:


Start your school's journey into sustainability:

This podcast was produced by The Pod Farm. (https://www.thepodfarm.com/)

Nov 12, 202021:15
Kids, Community and Climate Action with Lorna Cumming-Bruce of Semble

Kids, Community and Climate Action with Lorna Cumming-Bruce of Semble

Lorna works for Semble (https://semble.org/) (formerly Project Dirt), a platform that brings together businesses and community projects to make change happen from the grassroots up, and a long time partner of Outdoor Classroom Day. Lorna believes in the power of storytelling to inspire real change; and spends her days devising wonderful ways to celebrate community action. 

In this episode, Martin and Lorna discuss the work that Semble are doing with kids, communities and climate action, through two of their major campaigns: Backyard Nature and Outdoor Classroom Day. Lorna also talks about an exciting webinar Semble are hosting during London Climate Action Week.

Other links mentioned in the podcast:

Find this episode's supplementary lesson plan here. (http://www.londonsustainableschools.org/doorways-podcast.html)

Start your school's journey into sustainability:

This podcast was produced by The Pod Farm. (https://www.thepodfarm.com/)

Oct 29, 202049:26
How the Greater London Authority is Helping Schools Take Climate Action with Annette Figueiredo

How the Greater London Authority is Helping Schools Take Climate Action with Annette Figueiredo

Annette Figueiredo works with the Greater London Authority (GLA) (https://www.london.gov.uk/about-us/how-we-work-london). She is instrumental in developing environmental programmes for London schools based around water, air quality and climate resilience. Her work is set within the context of the London Environment Strategy and addresses ways that London can adapt to climate change whilst meeting London's zero carbon emissions target by 2050. It integrates planning, health, transport and social policy areas. Annette has recently led the development of a Guidance document for schools/nurseries on how they can adapt to London's changing climate. It considers three areas in detail: higher temperatures, flooding and water scarcity. Martin and Annette have worked together on various projects over a number of years.

In this episode, Martin and Annette discuss the risks to London schools of poor air quality, rising temperatures, flooding and water shortages and how they can adapt to these environmental changes. They touch on some of the resources and reports the Greater London Authority produce to help schools take climate action and links to these are provided below.

Other links mentioned in the podcast:

Find this episode's supplementary lesson plan here. (http://www.londonsustainableschools.org/doorways-podcast.html)

Start your school's journey into sustainability:

This podcast was produced by The Pod Farm. (https://www.thepodfarm.com/)

Oct 09, 202051:37
Loose Parts and Risk Taking: Improving Children's Play with Cath Prisk of Outdoor People

Loose Parts and Risk Taking: Improving Children's Play with Cath Prisk of Outdoor People

Cath Prisk, CEO of Outdoor People (https://outdoorpeople.org.uk/) and Global Partnerships Director for Outdoor Classroom Day (https://outdoorclassroomday.com/), is a well respected thinker and advocate for children and the outdoors. She has led large scale programmes, campaigns and research, both in the UK and globally, based around outdoor play and learning. Her work has always supported children, schools and families and has helped governments, corporates and charities to meet their aims. 

In this episode, Martin and Cath discuss the importance of time spent outdoors for children's development. Cath discusses how schools can improve their students' play including how to maximise play areas with limited resources and space. Cath discusses the global growth of Outdoor Classroom Day and why celebrating the outdoors is more important now than ever. They also take a trip to the beach!

Other links mentioned in the podcast:

Find this episode's supplementary lesson plan here. (http://www.londonsustainableschools.org/doorways-podcast.html)

Start your school's journey into sustainability:

This podcast was produced by The Pod Farm. (https://www.thepodfarm.com/)

Sep 25, 202044:57
Black Lives Matter and its Implications for Climate Action with Judy Ling Wong

Black Lives Matter and its Implications for Climate Action with Judy Ling Wong

This week Martin talks to the remarkable Judy Ling Wong CBE, OBE. Judy is an artist, poet, dancer, environmental activist and a founder of the Black Environment Network (BEN - http://www.ben-network.org.uk/). Martin and Judy first met in the late 90's and Martin has since worked for and with Judy on projects such as Sowing the Seeds and London National Park City.  

In this episode, Martin and Judy discuss her journey from Hong Kong to becoming one of the most respected figures in the environmental movement - not just in the UK, but across the world. Judy also shares her perspectives on the Black Lives Matter movement and its implications for climate action. 

Other links mentioned in the podcast: 

Judy's simple but profound recommendations:  Develop in your students a passion for nature, and a love of each other and relating to each other. 

Find this episode's supplementary lesson plan here. (http://www.londonsustainableschools.org/doorways-podcast.html)

Start your school's journey into sustainability:

This podcast was produced by The Pod Farm. (https://www.thepodfarm.com/)

Sep 11, 202048:47
Playful Naturaleza: Proyecto Perú and Outdoor Classroom Day

Playful Naturaleza: Proyecto Perú and Outdoor Classroom Day

In this 'shorter than usual' episode, less really is more. In under 20 minutes Martin describes how this year's Outdoor Classroom Day provided inspiration to Proyecto Perú (Glebe school's global learning project). Martin tells the story in audiobook style, reading from a blog he wrote on May 26th.

Martin describes how the school grounds became the perfect backdrop for developing the concept of playful nature - the theme of this year's Outdoor Classroom Day. The Proyecto Perú team renamed the day 'Playful Naturaleza'. It became a fun mixture of play, exploration, discussion, art and the powerful but simple use of Spanish.

It would not be too strong a statement to say that the day ended with the audacity of hope.

Accompanying this podcast Martin shares loads of brilliant lessons created by Outdoor Classroom Day, suitable for a range of age groups, to help you engage, not only in outdoor learning, but also in London Climate Action Week.

Note on the blog that formed the basis of this podcast: It was the ninth blog out of a series of 12 blogs entitled 'Reflections'. The first blog was written April 8th, 2020. They were a deliberately reflective series, written in Lockdown, which ultimately led to the creation of the Doorways podcast. 

To read any of the 12 blogs entitled 'Reflections' click here. Each blog is hosted on Semble. And if you haven't heard of Semble (formerly Project Dirt) we recommend that you check them out immediately!!


Martin's recommendations: Safety first, fun second, learning third
1. Safety - do your best to make your school more climate resilient (see Mayor's report above)
2. Fun - try to make lessons fun - the subject is serious but you are more likely to engage people for longer if they enjoy what they are doing
3. Learning - find the approach that you excel in or that interests you the most and start there

Martin's school, the home of Proyecto Perú, is called Glebe School and you can access the website here (https://www.glebe.bromley.sch.uk/)


Start your school's journey into sustainability:

This podcast was produced by The Pod Farm. (https://www.thepodfarm.com/)

Aug 28, 202018:60
Let's Go Zero 2030 with Martin Crabbe

Let's Go Zero 2030 with Martin Crabbe

In this episode, Martin introduces us to an exciting new project called Let's Go Zero 2030 which will be launched in November 2020 at the Youth Climate Summit. This national project aims to get UK schools to become net zero by 2030. The project has been developed by Ashden but it is explicitly collaborative. Ashden have already started working with an impressive group of people including Global Action Plan, Ecoschools, Fairtrade, WWF, Sustrans, Soil Association, UKSCN, Salix and Carbon Trust.

Martin gives an overview of Let's Go Zero 2030 and then offers some perspectives based on his years with London Sustainable Schools Forum. In the final part of the podcast Martin discusses how Proyecto Peru, a project in his own school, will participate in Let's Go Zero and provide case study evidence to the Youth Climate Summit. As part of this, Martin discussed a school food project based on circular economy principles that he has started working on with Martin Morales.  

During the podcast Martin mentioned this report by the London Mayor. IT IS RECOMMENDED READING: How London Schools and Early Years Settings can Adapt to Climate Change 

Martin also mentioned a charity he is working with called Project Peru.

Martin's recommendations: Safety first, fun second, learning third
1. Safety - do your best to make your school more climate resilient (see Mayor's report above)
2. Fun - try to make lessons fun - the subject is serious but you are more likely to engage people for longer if they enjoy what they are doing
3. Learning - find the approach that you excel in or that interests you the most and start there

At the end of the episode, Martin shares not one but 37 free lesson plans (climate actions), suitable for a range of age groups, to help you engage in London Climate Action Week.

Find this episode's 37 supplementary lesson plans here. 

Start your school's journey into sustainability:

This podcast was produced by The Pod Farm

Aug 13, 202044:59
The Importance of Engaging With a Wide Variety of People With Jordan Smallin

The Importance of Engaging With a Wide Variety of People With Jordan Smallin

Jordan Smallin is a former GB bobsleigh athlete and boxer. Jordan graduated from Loughborough University in 2018 with a degree in Sports Science. Whilst there he started working as Security on the doors of the students union and in some of London's clubs and hotels. Jordan is also a campaigner on social justice issues such as Consent, Loneliness in Society and Black Lives Matter.

During this podcast you can listen to Jordan talk about his journey from being a talented young science student to becoming a GB bobsleigh athlete, explain how he used this experience to inspire school students to pursue their dreams, and also how his security work, perhaps surprisingly, has helped him develop his perspectives on social justice. Finally, Jordan shares some reflections on lockdown, his love of nature and some tips on how to engage a more diverse range of students and educators into our sustainable schools work and London Climate Action Week.

You can follow Jordan on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/jrsmallin

The Croydon-based organisation Martin mentioned is called Wild in the City and can be found at https://wildinthecity.org.uk/

Find out more about Generating Genius here https://generatinggenius.org.uk/

Follow TeamGB Bobsleigh here https://www.teamgb.com/winter-sports/bobsleigh

Find this episode's supplementary lesson plan here. (http://www.londonsustainableschools.org/doorways-podcast.html)


Start your school's journey into sustainability:

This podcast was produced by The Pod Farm. (https://www.thepodfarm.com/)

Jul 31, 202053:03
The Joy of the Small Outdoors With Anna Portch of Sunnyside Community Gardens

The Joy of the Small Outdoors With Anna Portch of Sunnyside Community Gardens

Anna Portch is the manager of an amazing green space in North London called Sunnyside Community Garden. She has a huge depth and breadth of experience in sustainable schools ranging from creating and then running Empty Classroom Day (now Outdoor Classroom day), to being the co-ordinator for Eco-Schools England, to being the manager of London Environmental Educators Forum.

In this episode, Anna share her thoughts on changes in the sustainable schools sector, discusses the benefits of small green spaces to London communities and offers simple but important practical suggestions for schools to engage in London Climate Action Week.

The show is hosted by Martin Crabbe, chair of the London Sustainable Schools Forum and a Geography teacher in London and takes place on location in Sunnyside. Plus, Anna and Martin have co-created and shared a free lesson plan, suitable for all age groups, to help you realise the joy of the small outdoors.

You can find out more about Sunnyside at http://sunnysidecommunitygardens.org/ or on https://www.instagram.com/sunnysidecommunitygardens/.

Find this episode's supplementary lesson plan here. (http://www.londonsustainableschools.org/doorways-podcast.html).


Start your school's journey into sustainability:

This podcast was produced by The Pod Farm. (https://www.thepodfarm.com/).

Jul 16, 202047:11
Introducing Doorways to Sustainable Schools with Martin Crabbe

Introducing Doorways to Sustainable Schools with Martin Crabbe

Welcome to the first episode of Doorways to Sustainable Schools - a podcast aimed to support London schools to engage in London Climate Action Week 16th-22nd November 2020. (https://www.londonclimateactionweek.org/)

The show will be hosted by Martin Crabbe, chair of the London Sustainable Schools Forum and a Geography teacher in London, but in this first episode, Martin is the one being interviewed.

We talk about his reasons for starting the podcast and what to expect going forward, London Climate Action Week and how schools can start their journey in sustainability. Plus, Martin shares a free lesson plan, suitable for all age groups, to get us started.

Find this episode's supplementary lesson plan here. (http://www.londonsustainableschools.org/doorways-podcast.html)


Start your school's journey into sustainability:


This podcast was produced by The Pod Farm. (https://www.thepodfarm.com/)

Jul 02, 202034:04
Doorways Trailer - Coming Soon

Doorways Trailer - Coming Soon

Welcome to this new fortnightly podcast, Doorways to Sustainable Schools. It's aim is to consider practical action that schools could take to help them engage in London Climate Action Week 2020 (November 14th-20th).

This new podcast will focus on the journey of one teacher as he tries to help his school become more sustainable by trying out some inspirational ideas from some of London's most amazing people. A supplementary lesson plan will be released alongside each episode.

This podcast is part of a larger project, also called Doorways that was launched during lockdown, a time of crisis when the 'doorways' in the places we live, work and shop have had a whole new significance. 

Doorways is hosted by Martin Crabbe, chair of the London Sustainable School Forum and Head of Geography at Glebe School, a secondary SEN school in the London Borough of Bromley.

Subscribe now to catch the first episode.

Jun 28, 202001:09