Making it Happen (1998 – 2002)

© Tolworth Playground WWF
The Making it Happen Award Scheme invited schools to submit a two year project plan using key areas of the curriculum to introduce a whole school approach to education for sustainable development. The two focus areas for projects were ‘Citizenship and sustainable development’ and ‘English and sustainable development.’

The Making it Happen Award Scheme was designed to help schools to:

• improve teaching and learning through professional development in the context of education for sustainable development;
• engage pupils in thoughtful discussions about their future and the future of the planet;
• build collaborative planning processes within the school; and
• develop links to other schools to share views and experiences.

WWF set criteria for entries, indicating that Making it Happen projects should:

• improve standards and increase pupils’ motivation;
• engage pupils in exploring and debating sustainability issues;
• involve the pupils in decision-making through the planning, implementation and evaluation of the project;
• encourage participation in, or a strategy for, positive action at the local level;
• help develop innovative ways of implementing sustainable development in schools;
• have active support from senior management team and governors;
• contribute towards the integration of ESD into the school’s aims, policies and development plans; and
• help develop strong links with the community beyond the school; and enable pupils, teachers and senior managers to link with other schools via the use of the Internet.

WWF offered winning schools a grant of up to £2,000 per year for a two-year period. It also provided free in-service training for teachers, senior managers and governors, as well as ongoing support.

The scheme was open to all schools in England and Wales, although no Welsh schools participated