Zero Carbon Schools
Brunel Field is taking part in the Zero Carbon Schools Project. The programme develops pupils’ knowledge of climate change, taking a global lens and considering the effects of a warming climate on different communities and ecosystems around the world. It incorporates the key knowledge, skills and values required to empower pupils to lead change in our school community.
What is Zero Carbon Schools?
Zero Carbon Schools is a cross-curricular programme for Years 4 – 8 with links to Science, Geography, Maths, English, PSHE and Art. It is designed by teachers and delivered in weekly sessions.
As a result of the programme, our Year 5 pupils will:
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Learn more about climate change and feel empowered to take action in their school community
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Develop leadership, communication, problem solving and teamwork skills
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Calculate an estimate of their school’s carbon emissions
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Lead meaningful projects to reduce the school’s carbon footprint
The programme is split into four sections:
EXPLORE
Children will understand the causes and effects of climate change. They will look at the global impact and what we can all do about it.
INVESTIGATE
Children will understand how schools create carbon emissions. They will calculate an estimate of the school’s carbon footprint.
ACT
Children will work in groups to design and lead projects that aim to reduce the school’s carbon emissions.
INSPIRE
Children will encourage and inspire others to reduce their carbon emissions and tackle climate change.
There are built-in opportunities for young people to appreciate nature as part of the programme, with engaging activities to get pupils outside, connecting with the natural world. At Brunel Field, we hold three whole school Outdoor Learning Days that coincide with the work of Year 5 and their Zero Carbon Schools curriculum.
Within our wider curriculum, each year group has opportunities to consider the environment and our impact on it. The theme of sustainability is integrated wherever it is meaningful; this enhances the children’s understanding of the world around them and how they can choose to interact with it. We are currently working to develop a curriculum progression in this key area which will support the children to build on prior knowledge.
Through the Zero Carbon Schools Project we have calculated our current carbon emissions. The information gathered has enabled our Year 5 pupils to develop projects to change attitudes and systems in school towards being more sustainable. This has also informed our school’s Sustainability Plan. We are working with Zellar: the digital sustainability coach to calculate our progress and design our institution-wide projects to reduce our carbon emissions. You can find out more about our progress here. (Link: https://app.zellar.com/profile/Brunel-Field-Primary-School )
Our environment
We are fortunate to have a wonderful pond which is teeming with wildlife, including great-crested newts. The children enjoy regular opportunities to explore this natural environment as well as spending time on welly walks to our local parks. In Early Years and KS1 the children spend a large proportion of their time in their outside environment and outdoor learning is encouraged wherever possible in KS2.
Eco Week
Each year we hold an ECO WEEK to raise awareness about climate change, sustainability and the importance of caring for our environment. The week involves special guests visiting classes to talk about their eco-related hobbies or jobs. It also involves assemblies and additional activities outside of school run by the PSA, for example, ‘newt cam’ in the school pond, litter picking, plant sales and The Big Plastic Count.
Eco Club
Each September, every class nominates an Eco representative, and these children meet regularly to discuss school-wide issues relating to the environment. They develop their own projects and work on these throughout the year, for example, plastic recycling, litter picking, reducing electricity usage etc. This year we have welcomed in a speaker from Greenpeace to inform and inspire our Eco reps and this knowledge and understanding was shared more widely with their classes.
Gardening Club
Gardening Club is a fantastic way for our children to connect with their local environment. We have a number of raised beds which the children maintain; they grow flowers, fruit and vegetables and learn how to protect the biodiversity of these spaces. Other green areas are also tended to and the children enjoy selling their wares after school to raise money for the PSA.