But the UK Sustainable Development Strategy currently has only one headline indicator for education, “qualifications at age 19”, and only one local indicator - “the proportion of pupils aged 16 achieving five GCSEs at grades A*- C”. For a better quality of life in schools - socially, economically and environmentally - we need indicators to include curriculum content, school ethos and the quality of school environments.

If indications are that the health of pupils and staff is declining, that playtimes are being cut, that fewer pupils are growing their own food, or that educational visits and field studies are declining, then we are heading in the wrong direction.

We need “sustainable education” before climate change in schools reaches green-house proportions!

Government guidance on education for sustainable development, is at www.nc.uk.netesd Nick Jones Education officer Council for Environmental Education 94 London Street, Reading