On Friday, 29 November, students and teachers from four Plymouth and Exmouth schools attended the Green Leaders Workshop at the University of Plymouth.
The event, part of the Green Schools Revolution (GSR) programme, provided a platform for schools to share their progress on sustainability and plan future initiatives.
The workshop aimed to support schools in implementing elements of the Department for Education’s 2022 Climate Change and Sustainability Strategy. Students from City College Plymouth, Devonport High School for Boys, Exmouth Community College, and Kings School Plymouth participated in collaborative activities, including discussions around Climate Action Plans, Wilding Schools, and Teach the Teacher projects.
Representatives from Plymouth City Council and the Department for Education were also in attendance. Labour Councillor Tom Briars-Delve, the Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change, praised the schools for their work on climate initiatives.
Will Wale, one of the Department for Education’s Youth Focal Points, encouraged students to contribute to the recently launched shadow Curriculum and Assessment review, which seeks to integrate youth perspectives into national education strategies.
The event also provided an opportunity for students to explore the University of Plymouth campus and interact with undergraduate students to learn more about pathways into higher education. Participating schools were entered into a prize draw for £100 worth of wilding supplies to support rewilding efforts on their grounds.
Dr. Holly Jenkins, Project Manager for Climate Action Plans at Students Organising for Sustainability (SOS-UK), commented on the diversity of participants and their enthusiasm:
“This event brought together a broad range of students spanning different ages, interests and backgrounds, yet all with an equal passion for climate action in their schools.
It was incredible to see the students engaging so enthusiastically in the workshops.”
The Green Schools Revolution programme, funded by the #iWill Fund, aims to support schools in creating climate action strategies and fostering sustainability. With funding secured for three years, the programme focuses on less advantaged communities in target areas across England, including the South West.
SOS-UK thanks Dr Paul Warwick and FUTURES 2024 at the University of Plymouth for their support
Green Schools Revolution (GSR) is a three-year project launched in January 2023, hosted by SOS-UK and funded by the #iwill Fund. We help school pupils to green their schools as part of the Department for Education’s (DfE) Climate Change and Sustainability Strategy.
The #iwill Fund is made possible thanks to £66 million joint investment from The National Lottery Community Fund and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to support young people to access high quality social action opportunities.
