A BENFLEET teacher has been recognised for his excellence in his field.

Paul Hunt, leading geographer teacher from The Appleton School, Croft Road, is one of the first teachers in county to be a un accredited climate change teacher.

Paul can now deliver up to date climate change lessons to pupils at the school.

He said is a great honour and he is passionate about his subject.

Mr Hunt, subject leader for geography at the school said: “Climate change is an important process that students need to understand and engage with.

“While climate change features in our key stage three GCSE and A-Level geography curriculum, it is vital that students see climate change as not just something to learn about and revise for an exam, as climate change will shape how they lead their lives in the future.

“By undertaking the un cc course, I have had access to the most up to date research-based knowledge, enabling me to equip students with the knowledge to make informed choices in the future.”

The rest of the school has joined in congratulating Mr Hunt on his recognition.

The un climate change teacher academy is being delivered by Harwood Education, in partnership with the One United Nations Climate Change Learning Partnership and sponsored by YPO.

The will teachers be able to teach their pupils vital lessons about climate change and will also earn continuing professional development and certification from the United Nations.

The innovative programme was launched on April 22 and is free for all primary and secondary school teachers.

The teachers need to log onto the Climate Change Teacher Academy to access the fully funded courses.

Once teachers have completed the five units of the climate change teacher course, they will be accredited by UN CC:Learn to deliver climate change facts and mitigation best practices.

They will be able to encourage and generate social innovation, and prepare students to protect the planet.

A target of 80 schools are being urged to sign up to take part in an initial trial of the course, lasting around two months, which covers topics including climate change science, gender and environment, children and climate change, cities and climate change, and human health.