Sustainability

At the David Ross Education Trust, we are committed to building a greener, more sustainable future for our students, staff and communities. Every academy plays a part in reducing our environmental impact and inspiring young people to take positive action for the planet. On this page, you’ll find our school’s Climate Action Plan along with updates on projects and activities that showcase how we are putting sustainability into practice.

Academy Climate Action Plan

briar hill climate action plan 2026 27 1 .pdf

Current Projects & Activities

Supporting Sustainable Clothing

In our car park we have installed a clothes bank to support Children’s Air Ambulance. By donating clothing, we are supporting sustainability by diverting textiles from landfills, reducing the demand for new clothing and fostering a circular economy where items are reused and repurposed. This practice lowers carbon emissions and creates economic and social benefits for charities and communities.

Recycling and Food Waste

As an Eco School and a proud Green Flag holder, we continuously look for ways to ensure we reduce unnecessary waste. Not only do we now have specific paper, card and plastic recycling but we now have Food Waste bin collection too thanks to Veolia UK.

Sustainability

There’s a Beautiful Wildflower Welcome to Our School! 🌼

Visitors to our school are now greeted by a stunning display of colourful wildflowers, creating a warm and vibrant welcome for everyone in our community.

A huge thank you to the 22 children in our Eco Crew who have worked hard to help make this happen. Their enthusiasm and commitment to improving our school environment have transformed the area into a haven for wildlife and a beautiful space for all to enjoy.

Wildflowers are not only lovely to look at, but they also play an important role in supporting biodiversity by providing food and habitats for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Thanks to our Eco Crew, we are helping to create a greener, more sustainable future, one flower at a time! 🌱🐝

Well done, Eco Crew, and thank you for making our school blossom! 🌸

A Great End to Our Recycling Year! ♻️

What a fantastic way to round off our recycling year by taking a closer look at the contents of our recycling bins and seeing the positive impact of our efforts throughout the year.

Our Eco Crew were delighted to see how much recyclable material had been collected and diverted from landfill. Through their hard work, awareness campaigns, and commitment to sustainability, they have helped our school community become more environmentally responsible.

A very happy Eco Crew as they celebrate another successful year of making a difference and helping us work towards a greener future! 🌍💚

Well done, Eco Crew, for your dedication to recycling and caring for our environment. ♻️🌱

Eco Crew Showcase Their Gardening Success! 🌿🌼

Some of our amazing Gardening Eco Crew had a fantastic time last week showing the East Midlands in Bloom judge around our wonderful outdoor spaces, including Dylan's Garden, the Wildflower Garden, Climate Change Garden, and Woodland Garden.

The children proudly shared how these special areas support wildlife, encourage biodiversity, and help our school community learn about sustainability and caring for the environment. Their enthusiasm, knowledge, and dedication made them excellent ambassadors for Briar Hill.

These gardens provide valuable habitats for pollinators such as bees and butterflies, create opportunities for outdoor learning, and encourage everyone to appreciate and protect nature. They are a shining example of how young people can make a positive difference to their environment.

Our wonderful after-school Eco Crew have been taking positive action to care for our school grounds and support biodiversity across Briar Hill.

The children have been working hard to improve our outdoor environment, helping to create spaces where plants, insects, birds, and other wildlife can thrive. Through activities such as gardening, planting, caring for wildlife habitats, and maintaining our outdoor areas, they are making a real difference to our school community.

These efforts help to increase biodiversity, providing food and shelter for pollinators such as bees and butterflies, while also creating beautiful, inspiring spaces for everyone to enjoy. The project encourages children to develop a sense of responsibility, teamwork, and environmental stewardship.

We are incredibly proud of our Eco Crew for their enthusiasm and commitment to protecting and enhancing our school grounds. They are demonstrating that small actions can have a big impact on creating a greener, more sustainable future. 🌱💚

Useful Websites

What is sustainability? - BBC Bitesize

The BBC Bitesize article helps children learn about sustainability and why it is important to look after our world. It explores how reducing waste, recycling, saving energy, and protecting nature can make a positive difference to the environment. By understanding sustainability, children are empowered to make small everyday choices that contribute to a greener and more sustainable future.

Key messages children can learn:

• Reduce, reuse, and recycle to minimise waste.
• Protect plants, animals, and natural habitats.
• Save energy and water whenever possible.
• Think about how our actions affect the planet.
• Work together to create a more sustainable future.

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Better Planet Education - Environmental resources tailored for all ages

Better Planet Education provides engaging environmental resources designed for children of all ages, helping them develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence to care for the world around them. The activities and materials encourage young people to think about important issues such as climate change, biodiversity, recycling, energy use, and sustainable living.

By exploring these resources, children can:

• Learn about environmental challenges in an age-appropriate way.
• Develop practical ideas for making a positive difference.
• Build their understanding of sustainability and global citizenship.
• Take part in real-world actions that benefit their school and local community.
• Become responsible advocates for a greener, healthier planet.

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Education resources for young people - Greenpeace UK

The Greenpeace UK Education Resources provide engaging, thought-provoking materials that help children explore environmental issues and understand how their actions can make a positive difference. The resources are designed to inspire curiosity, critical thinking, and a sense of responsibility for the world around them.

By using these resources, children can:

• Learn about important topics such as climate change, pollution, deforestation, and biodiversity.
• Develop their understanding of environmental sustainability and global citizenship.
• Explore real-world challenges and consider practical solutions.
• Build confidence in discussing environmental issues and sharing their ideas.
• Feel empowered to take positive action at home, at school, and within their community.