Welcome to The Sustainables Academy Excellence in Global Sustainability and Circular Economy Education
All for free
Our Founder and Team
Welcome to The Sustainables Academy
The Sustainables Academy CIC is a not-for-profit initiative committed to advancing education, community engagement, and academic collaboration for the betterment of our biosphere and climate. Our mission is to empower educators, learners, and changemakers with accessible, high-quality resources that inspire sustainability, the circular economy, and climate stewardship in everyday life.
We are proud to announce that we are in the process of applying for charitable status, reflecting our dedication to serving communities and the planet. We are an organisation operating as the not-for-profit The Sustainables Academy CIC, our model is rooted in generosity: all funds raised are directed solely toward creating and distributing completely free educational resources for schools, communities, and individuals.
Time, Resources, and Collective Action for Change
The Sustainables Academy CIC thrives because of the extraordinary contributions of individuals and organisations who believe in the power of education to spark meaningful change. From educators sharing expertise to sustainability specialists volunteering their time, we are a movement built on collective action. Together, we create tools and opportunities to address the urgent challenges facing our planet, equipping current and future generations with the knowledge and skills to steward Earth’s precious resources.
By collaborating across sectors—including education, local communities, and academia—we aim to unite diverse perspectives to develop solutions that are both innovative and practical. Every lesson plan, topic web, and resource we produce is the result of a shared commitment to ensuring every child, educator, and community has access to the tools they need to contribute to a thriving planet.
Our Guiding Values
- Accessibility: Every resource we create is freely available, ensuring no financial barriers to sustainability education.
- Collaboration: We work closely with schools, universities, community groups, and climate organizations to co-create impactful learning experiences.
- Accountability: As a not-for-profit, we are fully transparent about how funds are used—100% of raised monies go toward resource production and dissemination.
- Inspiration: Through storytelling, characters, and real-world applications, we aim to make learning about the circular economy and sustainability engaging and empowering.
Looking Ahead
The journey toward charitable status is a significant milestone for
The Sustainables Academy CIC , reaffirming our commitment to the biosphere and to future generations. We invite you to join us in this mission—whether through sharing your time, talents, or resources—so that together, we can create a world where sustainability is second nature and every action contributes to the planet’s progress.
Thank you for being part of this transformative movement. Together, we are stewards of a better tomorrow.
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Louise Elisabeth Robertson
MSc FRSA
Founded The Sustainables Academy in 2023.
Lecturer in SDGs at University of Aberdeen
Biography of our Founder
Biography
Louise Robertson is a distinguished educational leader with over 40 years of experience across early childhood, primary, and secondary education. She has taught at all levels and held senior leadership roles in both UK and international contexts. She holds an MSc in Educational Leadership from the University of Leicester, a Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Professional Studies in Education and Training from the University of Surrey, Qualified Teacher Status from the University of Derby, and a B.Ed. in Early Childhood Development and Education from the University of Nottingham.
Louise is a member of the Chartered College of Teaching (England), a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, and holds both the Standards for Headship and teacher registration with the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS), demonstrating her broad and current expertise in educational leadership across national contexts. She is also a proud Queen’s Guide.
Her leadership experience includes roles as Deputy Head/Principal at the British School Jakarta; Head/Principal at Dollar Academy Prep and Junior School in Scotland; Headteacher/Principal at The Dawnay School and Darley Dene Infant and Nursery School; and Deputy Head/Principal at Thorn-chase School in England. She has successfully led three schools through OFSTED inspections, worked alongside HMI inspectors during school inspections, and is a trained Ofsted inspector. During her headship, she also led schools to achieve Investors in People status, reflecting her commitment to staff development, leadership, and organisational improvement. She has considerable experience in school financial management, including strategic planning and budget oversight in both state and independent sectors.
Louise is a passionate advocate for outdoor learning and sustainability. She has published on the challenges of outdoor provision in tropical climates and conducted research on teacher induction programmes. Her work in sustainability and the circular economy includes collaboration with industry and community stakeholders. She is currently the founder and lead of The Sustainables Academy, a not-for-profit educational initiative focused on Earth stewardship, sustainability, and curriculum innovation for learners aged 3–18.
An experienced speaker and conference presenter, Louise regularly shares her expertise on sustainability in education, curriculum leadership, and inclusive practice at professional forums and academic events. Her recent academic publications include Sculpting New Creatives in Primary Education and Playful Pedagogies. In addition to her leadership of The Sustainables Academy, she contributes to teacher education part-time at the University of Aberdeen’s School of Education.
Meet Our Team
Bringing STEAM/ Sustainability/ Circular Economy Experiences to our global community.
Our Technical Team
Sneha Hingorani
Sneha Hingorani brings over 28 years of expertise in refining, petrochemicals, and plastics circularity to The Sustainables Academy. With a career dedicated to advancing sustainable practices, Sneha has worked across the value chain to develop innovative solutions for plastic waste reduction and circular economy initiatives. Her deep understanding of the refining and petrochemical industries allows them to provide valuable insights on sustainable materials, recycling, and resource efficiency. Through her professional experience, Sneha has supported in developing technology projects focused on reducing environmental impacts and advancing plastic circularity.
As a passionate volunteer, Sneha leverages her industry knowledge to support various initiatives, from community outreach to technical advisories. Sneha’s commitment to a sustainable future aligns with the organization’s mission to drive impactful change in plastic waste management and sustainability. She plays an essential role in guiding strategies to promote responsible plastic usage and advocate for solutions that contribute to a healthier planet.
Fraser Mackintosh - and Board Member
“Fraser Mackintosh has been a project controls consultant for over 30 years working on high value projects in locations such as Australia, New Zealand, Libya, Kazakhstan and Morocco to name a few. In the last 10 years Fraser has deviated away from fossil fuels and diversified into more sustainable projects such as Waste to Energy, Wind power, electricity transmission and Plastic chemical recycling projects. Fraser said “I learned my key skills through the oil and gas sector but feel that I can now use these skills for the good of the planet and to create a more sustainable future for us all.”
Stuart Naismith and Board Member
Central belt / Glasgow
Stuart is a multi-award winning* primary teacher in Scotland, leading STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths) in his school. With a passion for science and for communicating this with people of all ages, Stuart creates videos for YouTube as STEM with Mr N, demonstrating and explaining low-cost activities, interviewing STEM professionals, and sharing fascinating facts and insights about a range of topics, explaining big concepts using child-friendly language.
Stuart believes that you should capture the interest of children in STEM at the earliest stages of their learning to inspire the future STEM workforce, and with sustainability and climate change being a major focus for the future of our planet, incorporating these themes into education is important.
Dylan Gibson
Graphic Illustrator
Dylan Gibson’s artworks have appeared in national and international advertising campaigns, providing educational illustration, editorial artwork for magazines and newspapers, conceptual work for marketing and storyboards.
Dylan illustrates picture books and illustrated stories for older children and reluctant readers and has produced artwork for dozens of books and many more covers. Working with small, independent and large publishers.
He believes the key to doing great illustration is working and communicating with the client to create dynamic and beautiful artwork that get the most from your brief or tells the story best.
Freddie Emmett
Volunteer
as moved to pastures new
Social Media and Film and Voice overs.
Freddie Emmett BA is an Honours graduate in Acting from The Plymouth Royal Conservatoire University of Plymouth.As an actor he provides a great and natural voice over to our teaching and learning videos. His creativity is highly extensive and innovative.Freddie has been involved in many creative acting projects within the Forest of Dean and has worked with The Edens Cave Company, where theatre is embedded into the environment. He has worked with young people with individual needs and has a great empathy to our environment and donors
Additional board members
Gillain Reekie
Central belt
Board Member
Science Lab Technician
Perth .
Gillian is a Laboratory Technician at Bertha Park High School in Perth, supporting in the delivery and management of chemicals, materials and equipment for lessons in the science department.
Gillian has worked in Schools and Nurseries throughout Perth and Kinross for over 20 years, providing high-quality learning experiences and building strong relationships with the children and their families.
Prior to working in the education sector, Gillian worked at several prestigious Hotels as a Restaurant Manager, Housekeeper and Chef.
Gillian has a B.Sc. in Travel and Tourism and a HNC in Childhood Practice.
Gillian enjoys art, reading, cycling, walking and gardening.
Heather Tough
Central Belt
Primary Teacher – History specialist .
Perth
Heather is a primary teacher in Perth. She specialises in creating fun and engaging outdoor learning experiences with an emphasis on understanding the importance of nature to our mental and physical wellbeing now and in the future.
Originally qualified in History, MA (Hons) and MSc by Research, focusing on the history of medicine and mental health, Heather has worked on projects supporting further research into the history of medicine and in establishing a peer-led, mental health-focused appraisal scheme for Scotland’s GPs. As a pupil support assistant working in primary and secondary schools for 9 years, Heather developed and delivered curriculums to foster pupils’ understanding, knowledge and skills in gardening and the outdoors. She retrained as a primary school teacher in 2021.
Heather enjoys gardening, walking, cycling, ceramics, sewing and baking and frequently shares her passion for these within her teaching.
James Roriston
Highlands and Islands
Secondary English-
and through school Music Teacher
Inverness
Gaelic speaker
Rowena Blair
The Boarders
Secondary/ High School Chemistry Teacher
Passionate and transformative educator currently working as Principal Teacher of Sciences in a secondary school in East Lothian. Varied background having studied for degrees in both chemistry and service design; lifelong lover of learning! Experienced and enthusiastic middle leader. Dedicated to promoting STEM pathways and creativity in education. Highly skilled in all aspects of pedagogy with a particular focus on using digital technology to enhance teaching and learning and increase student engagement.
Andrew Strachan
Central Belt
Secondary/High School Physics Teacher
With 15 years of teaching experience across three local authorities in Scotland, Andrew is the Head of the Science Faculty at a fully comprehensive secondary school. He holds degrees in Physics, Engineering, and Education, and brings a strong academic foundation alongside real-world insight to the classroom.
His background in Engineering and Physics fuels a deep passion for STEM education. He is committed to inspiring the next generation through engaging, forward-thinking teaching and curriculum development. He leads on STEM strategy within the school, driving initiatives that connect learning with future careers and real-world applications.
A strong advocate for equity in education, Andrew is particularly focused on increasing girls’ participation in STEM subjects, actively developing outreach programmes, mentoring opportunities, and inclusive learning environments to help close the gender gap in science and engineering.
Simon Lightman FRSA
England
Senior High School Teacher
Simon is a systems educator and youth empowerment advocate who reimagines learning to meet the challenges of ecological breakdown, social injustice, and democratic fragility. He founded the City of London Youth Natural Environment Board, a pioneering platform for intergenerational climate governance, and co-developed youth-led initiatives such as Green Futures, Beyond the Blue, and Hip Hop for the Planet, which combine systems thinking, cultural expression, and real-world impact.
As Co‑Chair of SEEd and Chair of the Worshipful Company of Educators’ Sustainability SIG, Simon helps shape national conversations on transformative education policy and practice. A Fellow of the RSA and recipient of the Robert J. Jones Environmental Education Award, he is completing an MA in Global Learning at UCL. His work bridges research, creativity, and youth-led leadership to support education systems that are regenerative, inclusive, and future-facing.
He believes young people should be empowered not just to adapt, but to transform the world.
Advisors
Dr Frank Robertson
FRSC
Fellow of The Royal Society of Chemistry
Our Mission: Advocating for a Sustainable Biosphere
- Mission Clarity: Support educators in understanding the importance of our biosphere and its resources.
- Advocacy for Sustainability: Promote a circular approach to resources and energy while safeguarding the biosphere.
- Collective Goals: Work towards defossilisation, decarbonization, and reducing harmful gases like methane.
The Circular Proposal
Access provided by email
Our Diverse Team: A Global Perspective
Our diverse team of educators boasts extensive global experience, with a history of professional practice across the United Kingdom and international exposure in regions such as the Middle East, Asia, and the USA. Some of our esteemed team members have contributed to educational systems in Texas and Illinois, USA. Additionally, we receive support from distinguished University Lecturers and Professors hailing from the UK and Australia.
Collaboration Projects
We're delighted to be working with the GCSE in Natural History. You will find us and a link back to our website on their page visit list here.
Our Founder Louise , has been invited to collaborate on our behalf
with
The Imperial College London Project - Climate Cares
The Department for Education - England reviewReboot for The Future
OCR Natural History GCSE
Welcome to our new partner
We are very excited to announce our partnership with
The Chartered Institution of Wastes Management
Aberdeen University School of Natural & Computing Science
We are delighted and privileged to be collaborating with a talented team of 3rd-year computer science students from the University of Aberdeen as part of their practical work experience. This diverse group of 8 men and women is dedicated to enhancing an area of sustainability for our site and project, contributing their knowledge and skills toward a greater cause.
This partnership is mutually beneficial in numerous ways. For the students, it provides hands-on, real-world experience in tackling one of the most pressing issues of our time: sustainability and the circular economy. By applying their technical expertise in web development and systems design, they gain invaluable insights into how technology can be leveraged to create positive environmental change. The project allows them to work within a meaningful context, preparing them for future roles in the workforce where sustainability will increasingly be at the forefront.
For our team, the collaboration brings a fresh wave of creativity, energy, and technical innovation. The students’ enthusiasm and fresh perspectives will help us develop new solutions and improve existing ones, while also ensuring our digital resources remain engaging and impactful for educators, learners, and other stakeholders. Their work is a vital part of our mission to foster deeper understanding of sustainability practices and the circular economy.
As a whole, this project strengthens the bridge between education, technology, and environmental stewardship. Together, we are contributing to an educational resource that will not only benefit the students involved but also support teachers, learners, and the broader community in understanding how to protect our planet’s resources. Through this collaboration, we are reinforcing the importance of sustainability, equipping the next generation with the skills and knowledge needed to become Earth Stewards.
In short, this partnership represents a perfect alignment of shared values and goals, driving innovation in education for sustainability while giving students the opportunity to make a tangible, lasting impact. It is an exceptional opportunity for all involved, fueling both personal growth and the greater good of environmental education.
