Education for Social Responsibility (ESR)

Education for Social Responsibility (ESR) 

Intent and Implementation

Why is ESR important?

We believe in preparing our children to be well-rounded citizens of whom we can all be proud of; enabling our children to flourish in an ever-changing world.  We believe in having the children at the heart of everything we do, and part of that is enabling our children to be life-long learners and prepared for their future. As part of this, we offer an ESR (Education for Social Responsibility) curriculum which gives children the knowledge and understanding about the world in which we live. There are extensive ground and facilities to support a broad and balanced curriculum with plenty of opportunities for outdoor learning.

ESR is vital for our pupils to acquire the knowledge and skills that will support and enable them as life-long learners to make a difference on a local, national and international scale.  The world is changing at a rapid pace and we need to ensure that our children are prepared for the world of tomorrow; this is why our strap-line is, ‘Education for a Changing World’.

Sustainability is at the heart of our building as a net-zero, Passivhaus school.  It is also central in our curriculum too with dedicated ESR sessions in Year 1-4 as well as thematic days and weeks spread throughout the school calendar.

All our houses groups are also named after inspiration people who are icons in the world of sustainability House System - Buntingford First School

When is ESR taught?

ESR is taught through thematic units in the Early Years.  This then progresses to weekly ESR sessions in years 1-4.

How is ESR taught?

ESR is taught through seven different overarching strands. Learning takes place both inside and outside the classroom.

What do we learn about in ESR?

We have seven different strands which are taught in Key Stage 1 and then built upon in lower Key Stage 2. In addition to this we also learn about our unique building and why it is so special in terms of its sustainability.

We learn about Ethical Trading; Fulfilled Lives; Ecosystems; Climate Change; Water Scarcity; Biodiversity; Finite Planet as well as learning about our own school building.

We are very lucky to be the first school in Hertfordshire to be built as a net-zero school.  Around the school you will see different signs that explain the features of our building and how they enable us to be more energy efficient.

How do we assess and monitor ESR?

ESR work is summarised in our floor books.  Each class has a floor book that celebrates the learning we do around sustainability.  Children also get the opportunity to share their learning in assemblies, the school newsletter and with the wider community.