Education for Transition in Totnes

As the first ever Totnes Energy Descent plan is launched, marking a new phase in the development of Transition Town Totnes, the Education Core Group has re formed to take its place as one of the 12 work areas and several projects in Totnes.

In November 2007 we stated that our key aims were

• To build positive links with the schools and colleges in and around Totnes

• To develop and facilitate a network of local environmental and experiential educators

• To develop projects designed to engage the wider community and increase awareness of peak oil and climate change issues and solutions.

What’s happened since then?

• Transition Tales which emerged from the first core group has gone from strength to strength with its work in schools

The Transition Tales project is a key focus of our educational work. Please go there to find out more about the exciting work we do in schools. Please contact the Transition Tales project group at transitiontales@googlemail.com. It meets when needed. See the calendar for the next meeting.

• Totnes has been energised by the work of groups and projects dedicated to sharing the twin messages of Peak Oil and Climate Change and building a resilient community

• The Transition network has been established and has taken to message across the nation and the world

• Climate Change and Energy reduction has become a more commonly understood challenge as national carbon reduction targets have been set amidst much media attention

What is the purpose of the newly formed Education Core Group?

• To use our networks and opportunities to disseminate the work and ideas of Transition Town Totnes and thus identify a network of interested educators

• To focus on the importance of social and emotional development by researching and commenting on best past and current practice (Education for Sustainability article by Arthur French)

• To make links between the work of TTT and the sustainability work and eco-enterprise work happening in our schools so that it becomes seamless

• To highlight some of the replicable processes used by TTT to spread the learning

• To work with the Energy Descent Action Plan with a focus on what learning needs to take place to implement that changes in lifestyle which need to happen in order to reduce the use of energy.