Sustainability: whole-school audit

Use our audit tool to help you look at sustainability across all your practices and infrastructure. Find out how to make changes without breaking the bank, and see tips on taking your next steps.

Updated
on 7 July 2025
School types: AllSchool phases: AllRef: 45817
Contents
  1. Download our sustainability audit tool
  2. Use the audit to inform your climate action plan
  3. Get more support

Download our sustainability audit tool

Use our template to understand where your school currently is on sustainability, and how you can improve your practices. It covers both:

  • Changes you can make yourself
  • Areas where you'll probably need external help to audit your systems 
KeyDoc: whole-school sustainability audit (template) DOCX, 150.2 KB
Download

Our audit tool covers:

  • Energy usage
  • Energy infrastructure
  • Water usage
  • Procurement
  • The school site
  • Waste
  • Transport
  • Your school's culture
  • The curriculum

For more information, take a look at the DfE's:

You don’t have to carry out an audit of all these areas at once: pick a couple to get started, or delegate different areas to appropriate staff members. Prioritise which areas to focus on in your school based on your needs and funds.

Or get external help

You may want to hire external auditing companies or charities to help you understand your school's current sustainability