About the project
Adapt-Ed is a collaborative project led by Sheffield Hallam University, working with The Green Estate, Sheffield City Council and Let’s Go Zero to support primary schools in responding to climate change.
Focusing on flooding, overheating and water scarcity, the project helps schools in Sheffield’s most climate-vulnerable communities to understand local risks and take practical action.
Through a combination of teacher development, curriculum innovation and outdoor learning, Adapt-Ed demonstrates how education can play a central role in building climate resilience—both within schools and across communities.
Project Team
- Lee Jowett – PI – Sheffield Hallam University
- Professor Aimee Ambrose – Sheffield Hallam University
- Dr Panagiota Blouchou – Sheffield Hallam University
- Laurie Kooben – Sheffield Hallam University
- Alice Jones – The Green Estate
- Dr Hannah Wallace – The Green Estate
- Sarah Slowther – The Green Estate
Why Adapt-Ed matters
Climate change is already affecting schools in the UK. Rising temperatures, increased flood risk and water stress are disrupting learning environments and disproportionately impacting disadvantaged communities.
Despite this, much of the focus in education has been on reducing emissions, rather than preparing for the impacts of climate change.
Adapt-Ed addresses this gap by:
- Bringing climate adaptation into everyday teaching
- Connecting learning to local, real-world risks
- Supporting schools to become community hubs for resilience
Sheffield provides an ideal context—combining high flood risk, urban heat island effects and socio-economic inequalities—making the learning both urgent and highly relevant.
What we’re doing
Adapt-Ed works with five primary schools, up to 10 teachers and around 300 pupils.
Key activities include:
- Teacher CPD
Bespoke training to help teachers embed climate adaptation into the curriculum using research-informed approaches. - Curriculum development
Co-designed lessons focused on:- Flood risk and resilience
- Drought and water scarcity
- Overheating and urban heat
- Food systems and nature-based solutions
- Outdoor and experiential learning
Hands-on sessions delivered with The Green Estate, linking classroom learning to real environments. - School-based action
Supporting schools to integrate adaptation into their climate action plans and implement practical changes on site. - Community engagement
Showcases and events to involve families and amplify local voices in climate decision-making.
Our approach
Adapt-Ed combines research, practice and community engagement through a mixed-methods, participatory approach.
We:
- Co-design learning with teachers and partners
- Use place-based, creative and experiential methods
- Apply Sheffield Hallam’s Research-Informed Climate Education (RICE) framework
- Continuously adapt delivery based on feedback and evidence
This ensures the project is both rigorous and practical, with immediate benefits for schools and transferable learning for others.
What difference will it make?
For pupils
- Increased understanding of climate risks
- Stronger connection to nature
- Greater confidence and agency to act
For teachers
- Improved confidence to teach climate adaptation
- Access to high-quality, adaptable resources
For schools
- Integration of adaptation into climate action planning
- Practical steps towards more resilient buildings and grounds
For communities
- Greater awareness and engagement with local climate risks
- Opportunities to shape local policy and action
Beyond Sheffield
The project will produce case studies, resources and policy insights, shared nationally through networks such as Let’s Go Zero, helping scale impact across the UK.
Partners
Adapt-Ed is delivered through a strong partnership:
- Sheffield Hallam University – Project lead, research and evaluation
- The Green Estate – Delivery of outdoor learning and community engagement
- Sheffield City Council – Policy alignment through Built for Change
- Let’s Go Zero – National dissemination and scaling
Timeline
- March 2026 – Project launch
- Spring–Summer 2026 – CPD, curriculum delivery and school activities
- Summer 2026 – School showcases
- Autumn 2026 – Final evaluation and dissemination
Get involved
We’re keen to connect with:
- Schools interested in climate adaptation education
- Local and national partners
- Researchers and practitioners
- Policy and sector organisations
Get in touch to collaborate, learn more or explore how Adapt-Ed can support your work.
Contact
Lee Jowett
Sheffield Hallam University
Climate Change and Sustainability Research Fellow
