‘Stories for Change’ Sustainability Summit
Date: 1 July 2025
Location: International School of London, London (UK)
Open to: Year 6 - Year 13 students, Teachers,
Teaching assistants,
Senior Leadership,
School administrators/bursars,
Governors,
Local business leaders,
Policymakers and
Eco-enthusiasts
Number of delegates: 120
In partnership with Oaklands Primary School, and in collaboration with the Cambridge Institute of Sustainability Leadership.
Stories For Change
The state of the world
Stories for Change
Transformation: how to turn ideas into reality
What next? Planning for and committing to change
Review
The West London Sustainability Summit was a vibrant and hopeful gathering that brought together students, educators, policy makers, business leaders and sustainability practitioners from across West London. This inspiring event was a collaboration between state and independent schools, Sustainability Education (SusEd), and Oaklands Primary School, hosted at the International School of London.
Rooted in the theme “Stories for Change”, the summit created space for honest reflection, deep listening and collective imagination. Participants ranged from students in Grades 6–13 to school leaders, climate experts and representatives from industry and government, all united by a shared commitment to creating a more sustainable future through education and partnership..
Creating Space for Meaningful Connection
The day opened with “The Real Story of the World”, inviting participants to reflect on how we are connected – emotionally, socially and environmentally – to the systems that shape our lives. This grounding session set the tone for the day, encouraging curiosity, empathy and courage as essential foundations for change
Throughout the summit, there was a deliberate intention to “quieten our cleverness” – to move beyond technical solutions and instead listen deeply to lived experience. This approach resonated strongly with both students and adults, creating a shared sense of purpose and trust across generations and sectors.
Stories that Spark Action
At the heart of the summit were powerful Stories for Change. Short, personal stories from educators, students and sustainability leaders explored the realities of change: why it is challenging, why failure matters, and how small successes can carry profound meaning. These stories were followed by facilitated discussions, allowing participants to reflect, question and connect their own experiences to wider systems of change
The diversity of voices – from grassroots education initiatives to school-based sustainability journeys – demonstrated that transformation is possible at every scale, and that storytelling remains one of our most powerful tools for mobilising action.
Imagining Futures Together
In the afternoon, participants shifted from reflection to imagination with “Let’s Imagine… Turning Active Hope into Reality”. Working in mixed groups, attendees explored what a sustainable 2050 might look like and how education systems can help turn hope into practical, collective action. Using backcasting techniques developed in collaboration with the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL), groups identified pathways for change that are both ambitious and achievable
From Stories to Commitments
The summit concluded with “So What? What Next?”, focusing on commitment and accountability. Schools and participants articulated clear “I will / we will” statements, grounding the day’s inspiration in concrete next steps. This closing session reinforced the summit’s core message: that stories are not the end point, but the beginning of sustained, collaborative action.
A Collective Step Forward
The West London Sustainability Summit demonstrated the power of education as a convening force – one that can bridge sectors, amplify young voices and catalyse local action with global relevance. By bringing together community, creativity and courage, the summit marked an important step towards long-term partnerships and meaningful sustainability action across West London.
What will your verse be?
“The collaboration between different sector leaders, between state schools and the International School of London, facilitated by SusEd faculty, was so important and necessary and is a model for the future”.
What next?
The summit experience nurtured networks of agency and connected action. We will reconvene in six months from now, online, to see how far we have come on our journeys together. Education and Sustainability Leadership Summits are planned for the Summer 2026, in the Netherlands and next Autumn, 2026, in Asia Pacific and Europe.
If you would like to be a part of this exciting and arguably necessary adventure, please email hello@sused.org
What will your verse be?