Federation of Durham Community Business College (DCBC) & Fyndoune Community College (FCC)

The federation of the two schools was set up about 18 months ago under one headteacher. Under the new leadership there is a strong emphasis on raising standards, with an increasingly well informed and supportive governing body. Personal development, as well as academic progress, is considered important.

>Making links

Education for sustainability is stated as an important part of the ethos of the school. The nature of sustainability is broad and is based on the 'eight doorways' identified in the DfES Sustainable Schools National Framework and also includes consideration of both schools in relation to their local communities. Within this health, safety and security, active citizenship and inclusion as well as social enterprise are considered important and there are good links with local businesses and the local authority departments.

The senior management are clear that they intend to develop a shared understanding of sustainability across both institutions and in all subject areas. There were three afternoon CPD sessions on sustainability in the last autumn term with some sessions being led by staff and others by local experts. The senior team also undertook the Chronos on-line training, which included aspects related to education for sustainability. In their ambitious development plan education for sustainability is a target for all curriculum areas at KS3, with the preparation of schemes of work and performance targets. It is also included in the CPD programme for staff.

>Eco awards

As part of their development plan the schools are jointly preparing for the Eco-schools bronze award and have joined the Global Gateway. The senior management recognise that the federation is somewhat remote geographically and they consider it important to develop links with national initiatives, which will provide them with wider information and involvement in aspects of sustainability.

The student voice is an area where there has been special emphasis, with a student council that meets regularly and a sustainability group that take initiatives forward. Training has been instituted for councillors to enhance their contribution to the process. Video conferencing is being used to enable both councils of the federation to communicate regularly and there is also a face to face meeting each term.

The rural dimension is very important to FCC, since it provides an outdoor classroom students care for animals and plants, with emphasis on growing food locally and healthily. Through these activities students reflect on local sourcing of food as well as care for the environment through plant and animal husbandry.

Making it happen...

• Although the federation has only recently been formed the head is keen to create greater collaboration between the two schools.
• Two deputy heads, one in each school, have been charged with the responsibility for driving forward the education for sustainability agenda. They both have a broad view of the nature of sustainability which they promote within the schools but each has a particular specialist area.
• An ambitious development plan has been formulated by the senior management that includes education for sustainability as an important part of their school development.
• The development plan is supported by a vigorous CPD programme to encourage all staff to include aspects of sustainability in the curriculum.
• They have developed a project that combines aspects of sustainability with enterprise; thereby raising money to send to global partners for a water aid initiative.
• The student voice is considered important and resources of time and finance have been put into making it more effective. Regular video conferencing has helped to draw the two school councils closer together.