An inspiring group of students are leading the charge on climate change. Recently, the Chew Valley School Climate Action Team planted 108 trees on site to help offset the school’s carbon footprint, with a team of 28 students planting hawthorn, goat willow, crab apple, hazel and downy birch trees – all native species designed to create habitats for local wildlife, donated by the Woodland Trust.

The Climate Action Team started with a small group of passionate individuals from ages 12 to 18, who campaigned for a more sustainable school. This team is led by students, Becky Heath and Lily Hobbs; gap year volunteers, Lauren Thomas and Jenny Heath, and the lead teacher, Rose Taylor.

Jenny and Lauren have chosen to use their gap year to become Climate Action Assistants at Chew Valley, saying: “At school, we can raise awareness and persuade students and future generations to make lasting changes to their lifestyles. We both strongly believe that the impact of climate change on the world and individuals at the hands of a few is unfair, and this is our way of fighting back.”

The Climate Action team has grown in size over the past three years, giving them more power to achieve change.

They have introduced new green travel guidelines for school trips at Chew Valley School, which must now be undertaken in the most climate friendly way possible. Last term they gave assemblies on climate change, presented by students from Years 7-10. Through Year 7 students presenting these assemblies, other students have been inspired to speak up about climate change. All pupils are now engaged in the climate change conversation, which has continued long after the assemblies have taken place.

The students hope to collaborate with all climate action teams across the Lighthouse Trust to share ideas and implement policies, such as the travel guidelines across all schools. A staff and sixth-form clothes swap is planned for January, encouraging purchasing second-hand clothes over fast fashion.

One of the most notable achievements so far is completing the Bronze UN EduCCate programme. Chew Valley School is part of an international group of schools chosen to complete this program designed to improve education on climate change.

Five teachers completed online courses on different aspects of climate change and in completing ‘carbon buster challenges,’ students took simple actions to reduce their carbon footprint. 37 families chose to change to a green energy tariff because of the first Carbon Buster Challenge launched, and many students are choosing vegetarian meal options through the second Carbon Buster Challenge.

Now that the Bronze Award of the UN EduCCate Award has been completed, the team are now starting the Silver Award with hopes to complete the Gold in future. Once completed, this programme could allow the school to teach GCSEs in the specifics of Climate Change.

Completing the Silver Award, along with many other projects that the school would like to implement, however, will require significant funding. If you can help, please email: [email protected]