An aspect report by HM Inspectors on behalf of the Scottish Funding Council
Sustainability and Scotland’s Colleges
30 October 2009

Contents

1. Introduction and methodology
Introduction
Methodology

2. Summary of findings

3. Sustainability in context
Sustainability and sustainable development
Sustainable development education
Key knowledge, skills and attitudes in sustainable development education
Sustainable development education in the college curriculum

4. Policy, strategy and leadership for sustainability
Strategic plan aims, objectives and targets
Sustainable development policies and strategies
Leadership of sustainability within colleges
Staff awareness of sustainability
Staff development in sustainability
Sustainability within arrangements for self-evaluation and internal review

5. Sustainable development education
Introduction
Sustainable development education links with core skills and skills for citizenship
Planning for sustainable development education in the college curriculum
Learner awareness of sustainability
Examples of sustainable development education in curriculum areas
Learner contributions to sustainable development

6. Sustainability and college estates, employers and communities
Sustainability within college estate developments
Environmental management systems
Sustainable accounting
Campus sustainability learning
Employer expectations
Community engagement

7. Conclusions

8. Recommendations

Appendices

1. Colleges involved in the fieldwork for this report
2.
Themes investigated in colleges
3.
Examples of sector-leading and innovative practice
4.
Glossary
5.
Bibliography