CIRCULAR KIDS PROGRAMME

A flagship Sustainables Academy learning pathway for ages 7–12

1. Programme Overview

Circular Kids is an interdisciplinary, story-led sustainability programme introducing learners to the three pillars of the circular economy:

Design Out Waste and Pollution

Keep Products and Materials in Use

Regenerate Natural Systems

Through hands-on investigations, creative challenges, and learner-led inquiry, the programme helps children understand how materials move through systems and how their choices can shape a more regenerative future. Circular Kids positions learners as young changemakers, building their confidence to take small but meaningful actions that support both people and planet.

The programme is designed by GTCS teachers, supported by academics, sustainability specialists, and wellbeing professionals, and developed within The Sustainables Academy’s proven 12 Pathways framework. It is strongly aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—particularly SDG 4.7, SDG 11, SDG 12, SDG 13, SDG 14, and SDG 15.

2. Aims of the Programme

Circular Kids aims to:

Develop children’s understanding of circular systems and resource stewardship.

Foster creativity, curiosity, problem solving, and systems thinking.

Encourage positive behavioural change through real-world, changemaker actions.

Build confidence, teamwork, citizenship, and climate wellbeing, promoting hope and resilience.

Strengthen learners’ understanding of SDGs and global responsibility.

Support teachers with clear, ready-to-use, curriculum-aligned materials.

3. Learning Outcomes

By the end of the programme, learners will be able to:

Explain the circular economy in age-appropriate terms.

Identify linear vs. circular product journeys.

Apply reduce–reuse–repair principles in practical tasks.

• Create simple circular product redesigns.Demonstrate digital literacy through research, modelling, and presentations.

• Show awareness of social justice, including fair access to resources and global inequalities.

• Recognise how climate action links to wellbeing, community health, and SDGs.

• Work collaboratively to propose circular solutions for their school or community as emerging changemakers.

4. Interdisciplinary Learning

Circular Kids meets the definition of Interdisciplinary Learning by integrating:

Social justice & citizenship: examining fairness in resource use, exploring global inequalities, and understanding shared responsibility.

Political literacy: learning how decisions—local to global—shape waste, climate policy, and sustainable futures.

Digital literacy: using digital tools to design, investigate, and communicate ideas.

Creativity & entrepreneurship: developing circular innovations, prototypes, and pitches that respond to real problems.

Health, wellbeing & climate resilience: promoting agency, emotional strength, teamwork, and positive climate narratives.

Learners make meaningful connections across science, social studies, technologies, literacy, numeracy, expressive arts, and health and wellbeing.

5. Assessment Methods

Assessment is continuous, practical, and growth-focused. Methods include:

Observation of hands-on activities and collaborative tasks.

Journals, sketches, climate wellbeing reflections, and SDG-linked goal-setting.

Group design challenges and presentations.

Teacher checklists aligned with defined learning outcomes.

Peer and self-assessment to develop metacognition and learner voice.

Portfolios of prototypes, drawings, digital artefacts, and changemaker actions.