We are delighted to share that our phenomenal Climate Education team has been awarded the prestigious Collaborative Award for Teaching Excellence (CATE) from Advance HE!
Awarded for our Climate and Sustainability in Initial Teacher Education Framework collaboration project. A med at supporting and enabling pre-service teachers to graduate with a set of core competencies to support young people to build resilience and become future change-makers in the climate and sustainability landscape.
Led by Dr Jo Anna Reed Johnson but brought to fruition through the collaborative efforts of many IoE colleagues, students and wider partnerships, we couldn’t be prouder of this achievement and the impact it has had. This impact can be seen on our university students and the children they teach within their schools. This collaborative work will have an on-going positive impact locally, nationally and internationally going forward.
Dr Jo Anna Reed Johnson (Associate Professor, Institute of Education) team lead for the project said: “We are thrilled to receive this prestigious Advance HE CATE award which acknowledges the sector leading work whilst recognising 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. Collaboration is at the heart of sustainability and the magic ingredient in getting people to work together in achieving sustainability goals.
The Framework is now used in all 18 of our Initial Teacher Training programmes. It’s also having a wider impact. In September 2023, the Department for Education SNAPSHOT newsletter announced plans for the national roll-out roll. This means other teacher training providers can sign up to 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.