Learning for Sustainability (LfS) in ITE

The LfS in ITE network includes colleagues from each of the 11 Higher Education Institutions in Scotland who provide ITE, Learning for Sustainability Scotland and the General Teaching Council for Scotland. Since 2023, the work of the network, supported by Education Scotland, has focused on developing a national framework for LfS in ITE, as part of Scottish Government’s ‘Target 2030’ Action Plan.

If you wish to engage with the work of the network, please contact Professor Lizzie Rushton by email: lizzie.rushton@stir.ac.uk

The work of the LfS in ITE network draws on the expertise from colleagues across the 11 Higher Education Institutions in Scotland which provide ITE and is lead by a core group including:

Group core membership

Professor Lizzie Rushton, University of Stirling and SCDE lead for LfS

Suzy Aldous, General Teaching Council for Scotland

Dr Beth Christie, Learning for Sustainability Scotland and University of Edinburgh

Betsy King, Learning for Sustainability Scotland

Kirsten Leask, Learning for Sustainability Scotland

Dr Claire Ramjan, University of Glasgow

The LfS in ITE network meets regularly in-person and online to share experiences and expertise focused on Learning for Sustainability and to exchange insights developed from emerging research and practice.

To date, this has focused on co-creating A National Framework for LfS in ITE and subsequently, the framework will provide an important stimulus to reflect on current practice and identify opportunities to enhance teaching, learning and research focused on LfS.

This framework has been developed through collaborative partnership. During 2023-2024, this has involved phases of discussion, reflection and consultation, drawing on the expertise and perspectives of teacher educators, teachers, school mentors, young people. This work has been supported by the Scottish Council of Deans of Education, Education Scotland, The General Teaching Council for Scotland, Learning for Sustainability Scotland and all eleven Scottish Higher Education Institutions which provide ITE.

View the Framework

Exploring LfS: Invitation to contribute to a new national survey to help us understand LfS across Scottish education

Following the successful launch of the National Framework for Learning for Sustainability in Initial Teacher Education in April 2025, the SCDE LfS team, led by Professor Lizzie Rushton (University of Stirling, Deputy Chair of SCDE), are undertaking a national survey of educators in Scotland. The aim is to better understand how LfS is implemented across a range of educational settings in Scotland.

LfS has been embedded in education in Scotland for over a decade as an entitlement for all children and young people and this new project which also includes researchers from the University of Edinburgh, University of Glasgow and University College London, seeks to capture diverse approaches to LfS and identify any barriers which might persist.

The survey launches on 11th August 2025, at the beginning of the new academic session and will be open for responses until 27th October 2025. The survey can be accessed via this link or by the QR code below.

The team leading this project would be delighted to hear from educators working across a range of settings (e.g. schools, teacher education, colleges, local authorities, informal education, community learning settings), from those in a range of roles and career stages, and from those with varied experience of LfS in Scotland.

Please do share this survey with your networks via the link above, or please do consider sharing the flyer with QR code with your communities.

Any questions can be directed to: Professor Lizzie Rushton, lizzie.rushton@stir.ac.uk

Useful links

A National Framework for LfS in ITE

LfS Survey link

Why sustainability is key for student teachers in Scotland | Tes

Learning for Sustainability Scotland

General Teaching Council for Scotland

Education Scotland