Sustainable Primary School of the Year

We were delighted to have been one of the finalists for the Sustainable Primary School of the Year in the recent Oxford Climate Awards.  Our application included the following:

• The work that our children have done through the Eco Crew including writing to the Parish Council in support of letting the grass verges near the school grow to encourage wildflowers and wildlife, voting not to send Christmas cards to reduce waste, litter picking and, of course, receiving an Eco-School's Award.

• Our curriculum that embraces a “sustainable future” for our children.

• Our strategic plan 22-26 which includes as one of four strands: “prioritising environmental sustainability throughout our school”.

• The fact that we have appointed a climate education specialist as an associate Governor with responsibility for sustainability.

• The carbon literacy training we have given all our teachers, teaching assistants and Governors to increase their knowledge and support them in bringing sustainability into their practice.

• The work we are doing with ACES (Action on Carbon and Energy in Schools) to identify the priorities for decarbonisation projects within school.

• Our weekly gardening club which allows children to get hands-on with nature.

• Our change of catering provider to a more sustainably conscious company who use local suppliers and cook with fresh ingredients.

• Our encouragement of active travel including offering Bikeability to all children.

• The fact that the school’s entry for the year 5 STATWARS Climate Change Challenge was shortlisted.

• The Climate Ed charity which delivers a 5 week programme on carbon literacy to all year 6 students.

• And … last but not least, our work with the Kennington community larder which has a goal of reducing food waste. Second-hand uniform is also available here.