Eco Action Across Our Schools

Students have taken part in imaginative recycling and upcycling projects, transforming used Christmas cards into gift tags, turning scrap paper into notepads and recycling old print cartridges. Bottle tops were repurposed into planters, unwanted Christmas trees were cut down to create mascot models and, after collecting hundreds of plastic water bottles, the club even constructed its own greenhouse.

The club has also made impressive strides in reducing plastic waste. Cardboard packaging is now used for lunch containers, and the school has introduced a no-laminate policy — significantly cutting down on plastic sent to landfill and reducing carbon emissions. In recognition of these efforts, Plastic Free Oadby awarded the club a special certificate!

And that wasn’t the only accolade. Thanks to their outstanding environmental work, Beauchamp College was awarded the Eco-Schools Green Flag with Distinction for the fourth consecutive year – a truly remarkable achievement.

At Leicester’s only multi-faith, all-girls’ school, recycling initiatives have proven just as popular.

The Eco-Club has introduced recycling boxes in every classroom, with tutor groups taking responsibility for collecting recyclable waste. Dedicated bins have also been placed in the Dining Hall and Staff Room, with teachers actively supporting the initiative. Food waste is collected too, helping to further reduce the school’s environmental footprint.

Beyond recycling, a group of Year 9 and 10 students took part in the Good Life Schools project – a thoughtful initiative exploring consumerism and the beauty industry, with the aim of reducing waste and promoting mindful choices.

Eco-Club members have also been busy around the school grounds: cleaning out the pond, collecting litter to keep the site welcoming, planting bulbs and building a bug hotel in the front garden. The school’s new orchard is thriving too, with an abundance of blueberries and strawberries beginning to blossom!

Pupils have been actively involved in keeping their local environment clean and litter-free. Last year, the school proudly took part in the Big School Clean – a nationwide initiative encouraging schools to tackle litter and promote civic pride.

Inspired by the campaign, pupils continued their efforts well beyond the event, organising weekly – and sometimes even daily – litter picks around the school grounds and surrounding areas. These regular clean-ups not only help maintain a tidy environment but also instil a strong sense of responsibility and teamwork among pupils.

The commitment to sustainability starts with smart energy choices and the Premises Team at Humphrey Perkins School have taken proactive steps to reduce energy consumption, not just to cut costs but to help protect the planet.

Heating systems are now fully switched off during school holidays and, when in use, they’re programmed to come on later and switch off earlier. Thermostatic radiator valves have been installed across the site to improve efficiency, while pipework has been carefully lagged to prevent heat loss.

Staff have also been encouraged to reduce heating usage and avoid opening windows unnecessarily – a small change that makes a big difference. Clear signage around the school reminds everyone to “switch off” lights and devices when not in use, reinforcing the message that sustainability is a shared responsibility.

These initiatives reflect the broader ethos of recycling – resourcefulness and waste reduction – and ensure the school is building a greener future for all!

Enthusiasm radiated from the Eco-Warriors at Highcliffe, who threw themselves into all manner of innovative initiatives. Pupils have enjoyed a visit from a marine conservation expert who ran a fascinating workshop about plastic pollution and the countless problems it causes, putting their classroom learning into sharp focus. Inspired by their visitor, the children worked together to create an informative corridor display, relaying what they had learned for everybody to engage with.

Taking pride in their school – and determined to ensure it remained clean, tidy and welcoming – pupils also took part in daily litter picks during the last school year and encouraged their peers to correctly dispose of their rubbish.