TWO educational institutions in Reading are up for awards recognising their efforts in promoting learning about climate change and sustainability.
Leighton Park School is a finalist for two environmental awards for independent schools, while the University of Reading has been nominated for a Times Higher Education (THE) Award for Outstanding Contribution to Environmental Leadership for its Planet Partners Initiative.
The University and Leighton Park have collaborated on several projects. Earlier this year, students from the secondary school attended a Climate Change Action Planning Workshop at Reading’s Whiteknights campus, helping younger pupils engage in sustainability issues through a game called How Bad are Bananas.
They also logged their experiences at the event through a follow-up documentary.
Sustainability co-ordinator and head of geography, Oliver Staines, said: “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.”
In March, two teams of Year 7 students from Leighton Park’s Nature, Environment and Wildlife Team (NEWTs) Club joined COP26 President Sir Alok Sharma for a youth climate festival at Green Park.
The event brought together schools from the Reading area, as well as climate experts from the University of Reading and an energy consultant from Reduce Energy Ltd.
The aim of the event was to create pupil-led pledges and for delegates to choose one pledge to commit to as schools for a year, with a view to meeting annually to refresh ideas.
Leighton Park has planted more than 1,750 trees on its grounds in 2023, with the school’s community also sponsoring a project to re-wild an area of the ancient Caledonian Forest in Scotland.
