Reading at the forefront of sustainability education

Climate change undeniably one of the defining challenges of our times. It is heartening to see Reading leading the UK in climate change and sustainability education.

The University of Reading is up for a prestigious Times Higher Education (THE) Award for Outstanding Contribution to Environmental Leadership for its Planet Partners initiative. Leighton Park School, opposite the university on the other side of Pepper Lane, has won the Green Senior School Award 2023 and is also currently a Finalist in both the national Independent Schools of the Year 2023 Award for Environmental Achievement and the Independent Schools Association’s Award for Excellence in Sustainability.

University of Reading and Leighton Park School

The University of Reading and Leighton Park School have worked together on several projects as part of the Planet Partners initiative.

Students from Year 8 through to the Lower Sixth joined the University of Reading for a Climate Change Action Planning Workshop earlier this year. There, Leighton Park students created a sustainability game ‘How Bad are Bananas’. It was designed to engage primary school participants in sustainability issues. Pupils recorded the experience of the day to make as part of a follow up documentary.

Oliver Staines is the school’s Sustainability Co-ordinator and Head of Geography. He commented: “Working in this school and environment, it is such a special privilege to witness and be involved in helping to facilitate the passionate work of so many students and members of staff committed to leaving the community in a more sustainable place than they found it.”

Leighton Park’s NEWTs

In March 2023, two teams of Year 7 students from Leighton Park’s NEWTs (Nature, Environment and Wildlife Team) Club joined the President of COP26, Sir Alok Sharma, for a youth Climate Summit entitled ‘There is Only One Earth’ at Green Park Business Park. The event united local schools and brought together climate experts from the University of Reading, and an energy consultant from Reduce Energy Ltd. The aim was to come up with pupil-led pledges in teams. The delegates then collaboratively chose
one pledge to commit to as schools for a year. They have the ambition to meet annually going forward.

The Eco Schools student-led groups have achieved the coveted Green Flag Award. The school has planted over 1,750 trees on the park this year. The school community has also sponsored a project to re-wild an area of the ancient Caledonian Forest in Scotland.

Images:

1. Students at COP26 in Glasgow.
2. Students at the University of Reading Climate Change Summit.
3. ISA Awards 2023 Finalist for Excellence in Sustainability.
4. Students on the 65-acre parkland, one of the ‘green lungs of Reading’ alongside the University.

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Please contact marketing@leightonpark.com.

Editorial notes:

Leighton Park is Leighton Park was founded in 1890. It is a day and boarding school for girls and boys aged 11-18 years set in 65 acres of beautiful parkland in Reading, Berkshire. The school has been fully co-ed since 1993 and has a 50:50 ratio of girls to boys at its Year 7 entry point. The next Open Morning is Saturday 23rd September from 9.00am. Interested families can book online at www.leightonpark.com/visit-leighton-park.