Page 10 - Copy of Climate Change and Sustainability Education report

3. INSUFFICIENT STAFF

TRAINING

ALN teachers do not feel equipped to deliver the climate change and sustainability
aspects of the Curriculum for Wales. Compounding this, many ALN teachers continue to
view CCSE as something to be taught through geography and science, despite the cross-
curricular nature of the Curriculum for Wales. Therefore, teaching staff in ALN settings need
CCSE training to improve their knowledge and increase their confidence to teach it.

Although some teachers, for example those in specialist provisions attached to
mainstream schools, do have access to CCSE training, the resources provided are not
relevant to learners in ALN settings. This can lead to frustration and upset because there is
“For our learners, we have to
unequal access to support and training between teachers in mainstream and teachers in
bring it more to life. So, we
have to make it a real living,also raise
ALN settings. Therefore, CCSE training for teachers in mainstream settings should
awareness of ALN, and CCSE training for teachers in ALN and alternative provision settings
breathing thing for them to
actually buy into the idea”.
should also be provided. Training specific to staff in ALN settings is particularly important
as it provides teachers the opportunity to fully explore what ALN learners can achieve,
rather than ALN activities being viewed as of secondary importance in training
predominantly aimed at mainstream settings.

“It's more my confidence in knowing how to do
that and knowing those resources are out there…

I need a bit more training and maybe a bit more
opportunities of knowing what's out there as well
because unless it's like on again, websites that
you know and like to use, you don't, you don't know
it's out there."

Teachers and teaching assistants should have equal access to training. Supply teachers
can unsettle learners, therefore teaching assistants (TAs) and high level teaching
assistants (HLTAs) often cover lessons when the main teacher is out of the classroom.
Therefore, it is important that they also have access to CCSE staff training.

Due to the challenge in covering staff absences in ALN provision, teachers currently

prioritise attending training specific to their provision. This means that CCSE training could
be de-prioritised if it is not tailored to ALN settings.

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