Sustainable travel within the curriculum

The National Curriculum

Sustainable living is a theme running through the curriculum at all Key Stages. Four subjects - science, geography, citizenship and design and technology - have statutory requirements for pupils to be taught about sustainability.

In Science at Key Stage 3, pupils are taught about a variety of energy resources and about the distinction between renewable and non-renewable resources. At Key Stage 4, they are taught about the efficient use of energy, the need for economical energy use and the environmental implications of generating energy.

Teachers can place these topics in a range of domestic, industrial and environmental contexts. Pupils will then be able to consider the benefits and drawbacks of scientific and technological developments, including those related to the environment, personal health and quality of life and those raising ethical issues. All of these topics offer considerable scope for teaching about travel and support.

Geography provides the main focus within the curriculum for understanding issues about the environment and sustainability, including transport. At Key Stages 1 and 2, pupils are able to investigate how changes in traffic volume can affet the environment. This can include travel to school. As pupils move on to Key Stage 3, they learn about geographical patterns and processes and how political, economic and social environmental factors affect contemporary issues, including transport.

In Citizenship, at Key Stage 4, pupils are taught about the wider issues and challenges of global interdependence and responsibility, including sustainable development and Local Agenda 21. This provides a good opportunity for pupils to consider the effect of their travel choices on the environment.

Personal, social and health education (PSHE) and citizenship also encourage young people to take responsibilitity for themselves and their environment and get involved in the decisions that affect them and the community; and to change things for the better. Local authorities can draw on and enhance pupils' work on citizenship in schools by actively engaging them in developing a transport policy that meets their needs and those of their community.

In Design and Technology, pupils learn to evaluate how things are made. This includes consideration of what materials are used, whether they come from renewable sources, or are themselves recycled or recylcable.

For more information about incorporating sustainable transport into the curriculum, visit our Links page