Holme Grange School Is The Only UK Member of The Alliance For Sustainable School
Published by Holme Grange School on Wednesday 27th of September 2023
Holme Grange School Is The Only UK Member of The Alliance For Sustainable School
On Friday 22nd September Holme Grange School became the first UK school to be a member of The Alliance for Sustainable Schools. This is a great achievement but has happened in recognition of all the things taking place at the school.
Photo credit: Holme Grange School Caption: Headteacher Claire Robinson signs agreement
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Holme Grange School is at the forefront of prioritising environmental education and sustainability. They are the first eduCCate Global Gold Standard school in the UK. This is because they have:
• 121 staff members trained in the United Nations Children and Climate Change.
• 8 UN Climate Change Lead Teachers
• 10 staff members, inclusive of senior leadership, to complete a Carbon Literacy Course with Nottingham University Business School and Educcate Global.
Their Strategy encompasses ten pivotal areas, from Environmental Education and Biodiversity to Waste and Water Management, with the aim to:
1. Deliver and reduce their carbon footprint.
2. Engage and educate communities.
3. Audit, review, and promote wellbeing.
4. Collaborate and lead by example.
5. Adhere to the sustainability principles: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Rethink, Repair, Recharge, Reclaim, Refill.
Tangible Outcomes So Far For The School:
• Reduction of carbon emissions by 21.83 tonnes of CO2 equivalent last year
• Reduction in food waste in the school dining room
Beyond the School Walls:
• Hosted a Climate Symposium.
• Partnered with a school in Mukuru Slums, Nairobi for a climate change debate.
• Screened Damon Gameau’s 2040 video, invoking discussion and commitment among students.
Their Curriculum:
• A specially curated sustainability curriculum from Reception to Year 9, with unique programs like "Climate Bravery". Collaborated with the University of Oxford for the integration of sustainability in education.
Mock COP:
• In both 2021 and 2022, the whole school engaged in a Mock COP with activities ranging from environmental discussions to hands-on experiences. Contributions were acknowledged at the actual COP in Egypt.
• From setting up a plastic recycling plant to introducing clothes recycling bins, students gain experiences which enable them to understand the practicality of sustainability.
Community Engagement:
Students, take part in local and national group meetings, leading and discussing with professionals from the business and education sectors. Parent groups actively support and sometimes lead our sustainability endeavours. Additionally, their Student Parliament houses a Sustainability Council, which annually contributes to the school's development plan.
Holme Grange School, has a vast array of sustainability initiatives and a deep-rooted commitment to environmental education.
