Intent

At Himbleton CE Primary School and Nursery, we want to encourage our children to make green choices and also want our staff, parents and wider community to join us on our journey and become more aware of environmental issues.  We are mindful that we live in a disposable society and we need to teach our children about the long-lasting and devastating effect that humans are having on our planet and how their choices can make a difference.

As a school, we are working alongside the Eco-Schools programme which is pupil-led, involving hands-on learning that gets the whole school and the wider community involved in exciting environmental projects. Pupils of all ages and abilities are encouraged to work together to develop their knowledge and environmental awareness. We use a cross-curricular approach to educate our students on a wide range of issues, from the biodiversity of life in our school grounds, to their use of energy and water, both at school and at home, and how to reuse and recycle where possible. We would also like to see them become true global citizens where their personal impact can be felt on a much wider stage across the planet.

Implementation

Environmental topics are taught throughout school from Nursery up to UKS2.  These topics are addressed in a cross-curricular manner through Forest School, Science, PSHE and our Units of Enquiry, where meaningful links can be made. Alongside cross-curricular links and Eco-School club, our school engages in a wider approach to teach our children about environmental matters, from planting during Forest School to picking up rubbish during break times.  Furthermore, children engage with the wider community in projects such as Wildlife for Worcestershire and Bikeability for a less polluted local environment. 

We are excited to be participating in the Eco-School programme that allows children to take part in a series of audits across school in the following areas: Healthy Living, Litter, Waste, Global Citizenship, Water and Marine Life, School Grounds, Transport, Biodiversity and Energy.

Our Eco-School committee were asked to audit the school in each of these areas and then work together on an action plan for three areas of focus in need of improvement. By working towards a series of goals and targets and by involving the wider school through assemblies and peer-to-peer education, children have an opportunity to be part of a wider, sweeping change across school.

Impact

Our hopes for our children are that they will develop an improved knowledge of biodiversity, how to use energy and water sustainably and come to understand the importance of looking after our planet.  We are learning how to care for our local environment in terms of waste disposal and recycling, but also how to keep our own personal environment tidy and free from waste and litter. Their responsibility in changing the world for the better is something they will learn to be aware of, as they begin their development into global citizens with a wider appreciation of not just their local area but also the wider world.

Key events so far this academic year:

• Litter pick
• Tree planting
• Cut your carbon event
• The Big Bird Watch
• Writing letters to MP Nigel Huddleston
• Creating a bug hotel
• Making minibeast friendly areas around school
• A toy and book reuse and recycle event