Creating Value in Schools | Sustainability | People, planet and resources

Know your place: how to tackle inequality in education

How do we tackle the impact of poverty and disadvantage in our schools? Is education alone enough to combat inequality? What does it mean to be furiously curious about the causes of inequality and what can we do about it? Are you ready to be a graceful disruptor?
Host Liz Worthen talks to Sean Harris, aka That Poverty Guy, about why place matters, life in the Tees Valley, what it means to be a civil architect in practice, and the importance of listening. If he had the ear of the education secretary, what would he ask for?
‘A commitment to deep social justice needs deep social listening, and that involves having to work alongside and talk to people that are facing the lived and the living reality of these issues.’
Sean Harris is Director of People, Learning and Community Engagement (PLACE) at Tees Valley Education. He’s also an author, researcher, That Poverty Guy on Substack, and furiously curious about tackling inequality.
Liz Worthen started out as an English teacher, since then working in educational programmes, professional development and publishing. Liz is passionate about enabling fellow educators to have a positive impact on the world.
Follow Sean on Substack: substack.com
Guddi Singh’s guest blog: substack.com/p/guest-blog-beyond-classrooms-and
Listen to Three Ages of Child: bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002k385
Buy Sean’s book: bookshop.org/shop/createvalueschools
Child of the North toolkits: https://www.n8research.org.uk/child-of-the-north-launches-new-campaign-as-latest-findings-reveal-worrying-trends/ 
For more ideas and resources, visit createvalueschools.com 
#SustainableSchools #Education #Inequality #SocialJustice

Let the children lead: growing greener schools and communities

‘Make sure that children are there leading on these projects. Because if they're leading, then they're more likely to want to carry it on and encourage teachers, the community and their families to get involved too.’
Host Liz Worthen talks to Edd Moore about his experience of inspiring pupils with eco-projects in schools, integrating learning into the curriculum, and engaging families and communities in the process. Questions addressed include:
How do you get started on the greener school journey?
Why does waste matter?
How do you get others on board?
How do you get from a school yard wildflower hunt to a regenerated community meadow?
Edd also shares how teaching in Bali compares to the UK, and brings a whole new meaning to curriculum deep dives!
Edd Moore is an eco-schools champion. As a teacher he led his primary school to a number of awards, including the Jane Goodall Roots and Shoots Educational Institution of the Year. Edd is the author of 100 Ideas for Primary Teachers: Greener School, and combines providing eco-support to schools with his role as Head of Education at Green Schools Project.
Download 10 tips for school climate activities: https://createvalueschools.com/need-to-know/10-tips-for-integrating-climate-activities
Find Edd’s book in the Creating Value in Schools bookshop: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/createvalueschools
Eco-Schools: https://www.eco-schools.org.uk/
Green Schools Project: https://www.greenschoolsproject.org.uk/
Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots UK: https://www.rootsnshoots.org.uk/
Young Enterprise Fiver Challenge: https://www.fiverchallenge.org.uk/
Join the Creating Value in Schools community: https://createvalueschools.com/subscribe/
For more ideas, inspiration and information, visit createvalueschools.com
#SustainableSchools

Keep sight of your North Star: navigating the school business landscape

‘So if school business professionals are engaged and supported to adapt, I truly believe that the role can become more impactful, more strategic, and better recognised.’
Host Liz Worthen chats with award-winning CFO Benedicte Yue about thriving in a tough funding climate. From making smarter financial decisions to empowering your team, harnessing tech, and driving real community impact, Benedicte shares practical strategies and big-picture inspiration for school leaders who want to do more than just survive.
‘All these operational functions are really enablers to achieve wider goals and we should never lose sight of the North Star.’
For more ideas, inspiration and information, visit createvalueschools.com
#SustainableSchools

Food for thought

What’s the problem with free school meal funding? Where does your food come from, and where does it end up?
In this extract from our longer conversation, host Liz Worthen talks to school business leaders Emma Gray and Helen Burge talk about why food is high on the school agenda, with challenges around:
funding for and access to free school meals
rising catering costs
food miles and sustainability
the financial and environmental cost of food waste.
Top tip: whatever you do, do not put your food waste in the general waste bin!
Information and updates: createvalueschools.com
More about Helen Burge: buoyantimpact.co.uk 
More about Emma Gray: 1stpillar.co.uk 
#SustainableSchools
#Food

From food waste to future-proofing: the SBL year in review

'Sometimes the smallest thing can be a game changer.'
School business leadership champions Emma Gray and Helen Burge join Liz Worthen for SBLs Unbound: a candid conversation on what’s surprised, challenged and inspired in schools this year. From budget stress and staff turnover to sustainability and school meals, they share tips to help SBLs thrive, not just survive.
No two schools are alike. Despite national policies, schools operate in wildly different ways. Don’t assume uniformity – sharing ideas across settings can reveal practical, low-effort wins.
Sustainability needs leadership. Sustainability won’t stick unless it’s championed from the top. The most successful schools treat it as core to their culture, not an add-on.
Free school meals = hidden budget pressure. Many schools are losing money per meal. Add food waste into the mix, and it’s a double hit. Talk to contractors, tweak menus, and get pupils involved.
Staff turnover isn’t always bad. Yes, retention matters – but so does opportunity. A culture that supports growth and movement helps attract and keep talent. Invest in training and use appraisals to grow leaders.
'If you're spending money to throw stuff away, that just seems crazy.'
Information and updates: createvalueschools.com
More about Helen Burge: buoyantimpact.co.uk 
More about Emma Gray: 1stpillar.co.uk 
#SustainableSchools

Avoiding and addressing staff burnout in schools

‘Booking a wellbeing day where staff get to choose a wellbeing activity is not going to solve the systemic issues when it comes to mental health and wellbeing, particularly for those individuals with protected characteristics.’
Education and mental health consultant Nicola Harvey shares practical tools and powerful insights to help schools tackle burnout, boost wellbeing and build inclusive environments.
Burnout is real – and everywhere. If you're constantly overwhelmed, it’s not “just tired” – it might be burnout. Learn the signs and take them seriously.
Representation matters. Staff and students from global majority backgrounds face added pressures due to racism, lack of diversity, and microaggressions.
PERMA and rest are powerful tools. Use models like PERMA and the 7 types of rest to build emotional resilience and wellbeing.
Train, talk, and take stock. Mental Health First Aid, anti-racism training, and reflective practices aren’t just nice extras.
#sustainableworkinginschools #wellbeing #mentalhealth
Find out more about Nicola Harvey's work: harveyheals.com
Sign up for updates: com/subscribe

Using the PERMA model in schools

Education and mental health consultant Nicola Harvey explains the PERMA model. Developed by Martin Seligman, it’s a positive psychology model, and a tool for reflecting on different aspects of our wellness. Useful for both staff and students!
P = positive emotion
E = engagement
R = relationships
M = meaning
A = accomplishment
Full episode with Nicola coming soon, where we talk about staff burnout. What it is, why it’s prevalent in schools, and how to try and stop it happening.
Find out more about Nicola Harvey's work: www.harveyheals.com 
Sign up for updates: createvalueschools.com/subscribe
#sustainableworkinginschools #wellbeing #mentalhealth

Be kind: how to entice teachers and governors into our schools

‘We need to take the pressure off.’
Chair of governors and experienced educator John Viner talks candidly about pressure points and retention challenges, along with creative solutions to attract and keep talent in our schools.
The teacher shortage is real and worsening, with multiple pressures driving people away.
Be kind: school leaders need to create supportive environments where teachers feel valued and believed in.
Get creative with recruitment routes: don't just look for traditional graduates.
Governor recruitment needs fresh thinking too: ditch the endless committee meetings, tap into local networks, and remember you don't need education experts.
More from the Creating Value in Schools blog. 

Optimism and opportunity: creating an income generation culture

‘You never know what’s out there until you try.’ 
Justin Smith, specialist in marketing and income generation support for schools, shares lessons learned on the path to fundraising and shows why relationships matter.
Culture and leadership matter. If school leaders and governors are on board, everything else becomes easier.
Cash isn’t the only win. Income generation includes donations, partnerships, skills, volunteer time – even equipment loans.
It’s all about relationships. People give when they care. Build connections, understand motivations, and let others feel part of the school’s success story.
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Listening to the community: diversity and inclusion strategies for lasting impact

'So if you're not listening, then you know, what are you doing?'
How do you drive real change in schools through DEI? Aldaine Wynter, Director of International-Mindedness, Diversity and Inclusion, shares his journey, strategies, and the impact of meaningful community engagement.
Suggestions from Aldaine
Start by listening. Before diving into big initiatives, take time to understand your school community’s needs. 
Make DEI part of the culture. Whether it’s curriculum audits, book clubs, or community spotlights, integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion into school life, not just one-off events.
Use data to drive change. Surveys and evaluations help track progress and inform strategy. Combine hard data with personal conversations to ensure meaningful, lasting impact.
Be adaptable and persistent. Different schools and communities require different approaches. You might meet resistance, but find ways to connect the work to what matters most to each person.
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