Coming in 2026
The Circular Schools Award
Register your school today
Bronze
Silver
Gold
Levels
Award Categories for Schools
Bronze
See Below
Bronze = trying it out (starting practices, awareness, basic projects).
Silver
Silver = embedding (consistent practice, measurable outcomes, wider community engagement).
Gold
- Gold = leadership (school becomes a model and innovator, influencing others).
Bronze Award Criteria
Primary School
Curriculum Models
Circular Kids Learning
Scotland
This programmes is designed for Interdisciplinary Learning .
Short term Circular Economy Topics .
At present for Scotland only … coming soon for the rest of the UK
The Circular Economy Curriculum
Globally Aligned models for
The Circular Economy learning matrix
Criteria for a Circular School with The Sustainables
1. Vision & Culture
Embeds Earth Stewardship and circular economy thinking in the school’s values, policies, and ethos.
Learners, teachers, families, and community partners co-create sustainability practices.
Uses The Sustainables characters as mascots/guides to engage learners in everyday stewardship.
2. Learning & Curriculum
Curriculum integrates the 12 Pathways of The Sustainables, linking to SDGs, UNCRC, and local curriculum frameworks.
Inquiry-based projects show learners how circularity works in real life (e.g., waste audits, eco-park design, school garden).
Cross-subject integration: maths with energy/water audits, art with recycled materials, literacy with eco-storytelling.
Outdoor learning is embedded, encouraging connectedness to nature and local ecosystems.
Materials & Resources
Reduce: Minimise single-use materials in classrooms, canteens, and offices. Reuse: Establish “materials libraries” (e.g., cardboard, plastics, glass for art/STEAM projects). Recycle: Clear waste sorting, with learners leading audits and creative reuse initiatives. Regenerate: Compost food waste and use it in school gardens/greenhouses.
Food & Agriculture
Source local, seasonal, and sustainable food for canteens. Promote plant-based and shellfish/ocean-friendly meals (linking to your shellfish resources). School gardens, aquaponics, or oyster/mussel case studies for learning. Food waste reduced and composted.
Energy & Water
Conduct learner-led energy and water audits with measurable reductions each year. Renewable energy integration (solar panels, wind microturbines, classroom learning links). Water harvesting (rainwater collection for toilets/gardens). Learner “energy stewards” and “water stewards” roles linked to The Sustainables characters (e.g., Turbie, Aqua).
Transport & Travel
Active travel plan: walking buses, cycling incentives, public transport use. Reduced school car dependency, including staff and parent commuting. Learner projects redesign school grounds for sustainable travel.
Built Environment
Use eco-friendly, recycled, or renewable materials in building and maintenance. Create flexible learning spaces that can adapt and reduce consumption. Biophilic design: more plants, green walls, outdoor classrooms. Circular procurement policies (furniture, IT, uniforms).
Wellbeing & Climate Mental Health
Promote learner agency, resilience, and hope through Earth Stewards characters (Hope, Harmony, Serenity, etc.). Provide safe spaces and mental health programmes linked to sustainability projects. Celebrate progress, not perfection, to keep the ethos positive and empowering.
Community & Citizenship
School acts as a hub for local circular economy projects (repair cafés, recycling drop-off, community gardens). Partnerships with local businesses, NGOs, and families to model circular practices. Learners run campaigns to influence wider community change. Links to global citizenship: connecting with other “Circular Schools” internationally.
Measurement & Growth
Annual Circularity Index for the school: measuring energy, water, waste, biodiversity, and social impact. Learners involved in data collection, analysis, and reporting. Transparent communication: eco-scoreboards, assemblies, and community reporting. Continuous improvement cycle, adapting practices each year.
