SUSTAINABILITY
To ensure that pupils have a stake in the process so that sustainability will continue to influence their actions
efficient equipment that helps us use less water. We also look for straightforward switches that reduce waste, including cutting single-use plastics, choosing environmentally friendly everyday supplies and making reusing and recycling easy across the site.” Solar panels, rainwater tanks and waterless toilets are also part of the mix, with sensitive upgrades to existing spaces and extensive planning to ensure that new buildings are ‘future-ready and kinder to the planet’ – all further proof of the school’s commitment to reducing its environmental footprint. With that comes an equally strong imperative: to ensure that pupils have a stake in the process so that, as they grow up, the importance of sustainability will continue to influence their actions for the rest of their lives. “A planet-first approach should be completely inherent, not be seen as different,” says Chris Woodey. Many children who are getting involved in sustainability initiatives at school now will end up in senior positions. His vision – and that of many other educators – is that sustainability, as well as profit, influences every decision they end up making.
Cambridge’s nature reserve is one of the most ambitious. A wetland meadow and part of the city flood plain, it includes a pond that “has not had as much love as it should have,” admits Chris Woodey. Work with a local wildlife trust has identified the reserve as a critically important habitat, used by wildlife as a stepping stone through to the River Cam. Now the goal is to restore the area – with support – and involve pupils by making it part of their learning along the way. Similarly nature-first initiatives at Framlingham include decommissioning parts of the golf course, rewilding the grass and encouraging natural reseeding to create wildlife-friendly habitats, as well as introducing senior school beehives that now provide sustainable organic honey and add a topical dimension to biology and agricultural topics. Second nature Exciting though all these initiatives are, schools are also getting the message across that, in order for sustainability to work, it has to be top of mind every day. Reducing food waste is on the menu at many schools, with Framlingham raising awareness of portion sizes, food waste and
sustainable, healthy choices, and St Faith’s encouraging children to clear their plates on Plate Waste Day, reducing food waste by half as a result. As Francesca Hughes-Morgan adds, sustainability also influences decision- making behind the scenes. “It’s part of the everyday – quietly shaping how the school runs, from kinder cleaning methods that rely less on harsh chemicals, to more BEE THE CHANGE Nature-friendly initiatives are a top priority, whether it be Stephen Perse Cambridge’s nature reserve project (above) or the senior school beehives at Framlingham (top)
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