Events
The Green Schools Project Herefordshire is proud to collaborate with local groups, teachers, councils and grassroots projects. Some of our previous events are detailed below. To ensure you hear about all of our upcoming events please subscribe to the newsletter.
Zero Carbon Schools Conference
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21 primary schools and 4 secondaries signed up for a ground-breaking zoom conference called Zero Carbon Schools which took place on Thursday 15th October. The Marches Climate Education Group, founded by teachers who want schools in Herefordshire to take action to tackle the climate crisis, organised the event, working closely with a number of partners.
During the one day event, experts spoke to eco reps, eco leads and head teachers in workshops which covered carbon emissions, youth activism and energy saving within schools. |
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Richard Vaughan, Sustainability and Climate Change Manager at Herefordshire Council said “This event was a fantastic collaboration between the Marches Climate Education Group, Greenschools Project, teachers, workshop leaders and Herefordshire Council. I was delighted to see so many eager and engaged schools present, ready to do their bit to make progress towards our goal of net zero by 2030 whilst protecting and enhancing our natural environment”.
Schools were given an Energy Saving Guide developed by Herefordshire Council and piloted by Orleton primary, Whitecross secondary and the Steiner Academy. Katie Horne, leader of the Fridays 4 Future team at Whitecross commented ‘ the guide is a really great piece of work which enables all schools to audit their energy use and put in place straightforward actions to save energy, thereby reducing emissions and also saving money!’
The Marches Climate Education Group has set up a team of hub schools who recently attended a preview zoom training session on the Energy Saving Guide. Bryony John from Orleton Primary explained ‘the training means hub schools will be well placed to help their neighbouring schools as they embark on their energy saving journey. Hub schools are typically schools which have been environmentally active for some years and are passionate about sharing best practice.’
Feedback comments were really enthusiastic. Orleton Primary eco reps said “We liked meeting other pupils online and asking the speakers questions.” Jake, Year 8 from the Steiner Academy said “It was an inspiring day, we enjoyed meeting other schools online and learning about what we can do to reduce our school’s carbon emissions from energy use. We really liked going down to our underground boiler room to see how we produce heat and hot water from our woodchip boiler during one of the workshops. We found out it uses locally produced woodchip from renewable sources.”
Secondary students said they felt their voice should be heard as they are the ones who have to live with the effects of global warming. One student said ‘We have been inspired by Greta Thunberg’s determination and courage. We know that most adults care about children, so they should make decisions that don’t harm our future.’
Karen Miles, Head at Goodrich Primary said ‘What an uplifting day! It was so lovely to create a community of like-minded people. The children were fantastic and the speakers so genuine and knowledgeable.’
There was a general consensus that schools would be able to work together to achieve a significant collective impact on carbon emissions. Beth Williamson from the Greenschools Project said “our intention is that participating schools will be in a really good place to write their own climate action plan and will leave feeling motivated and enthusiastic as to what their school can do to contribute to the countywide goal of net zero by 2030. If other schools would like to join in this project they can email Beth on bethwilliamson@greenschoolsproject.org.uk
Schools were given an Energy Saving Guide developed by Herefordshire Council and piloted by Orleton primary, Whitecross secondary and the Steiner Academy. Katie Horne, leader of the Fridays 4 Future team at Whitecross commented ‘ the guide is a really great piece of work which enables all schools to audit their energy use and put in place straightforward actions to save energy, thereby reducing emissions and also saving money!’
The Marches Climate Education Group has set up a team of hub schools who recently attended a preview zoom training session on the Energy Saving Guide. Bryony John from Orleton Primary explained ‘the training means hub schools will be well placed to help their neighbouring schools as they embark on their energy saving journey. Hub schools are typically schools which have been environmentally active for some years and are passionate about sharing best practice.’
Feedback comments were really enthusiastic. Orleton Primary eco reps said “We liked meeting other pupils online and asking the speakers questions.” Jake, Year 8 from the Steiner Academy said “It was an inspiring day, we enjoyed meeting other schools online and learning about what we can do to reduce our school’s carbon emissions from energy use. We really liked going down to our underground boiler room to see how we produce heat and hot water from our woodchip boiler during one of the workshops. We found out it uses locally produced woodchip from renewable sources.”
Secondary students said they felt their voice should be heard as they are the ones who have to live with the effects of global warming. One student said ‘We have been inspired by Greta Thunberg’s determination and courage. We know that most adults care about children, so they should make decisions that don’t harm our future.’
Karen Miles, Head at Goodrich Primary said ‘What an uplifting day! It was so lovely to create a community of like-minded people. The children were fantastic and the speakers so genuine and knowledgeable.’
There was a general consensus that schools would be able to work together to achieve a significant collective impact on carbon emissions. Beth Williamson from the Greenschools Project said “our intention is that participating schools will be in a really good place to write their own climate action plan and will leave feeling motivated and enthusiastic as to what their school can do to contribute to the countywide goal of net zero by 2030. If other schools would like to join in this project they can email Beth on bethwilliamson@greenschoolsproject.org.uk
Spring Greens Educational Days
We utilise the marquees and yurt covered spaces set-up for the following weekend’s Spring Greens Fair. The Fair celebrates the work of the young people throughout the environmental presentations, debates, workshop activities, performances and other local exhibition stalls.
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For the past 4 years, Spring Greens has offered these days for Schools, bringing together local Primary and Secondary children for a day of environmental workshops. They are organised into mixed schools collaborative groups for the day to take part in these inspiring outdoor activities at the beautiful Court of Noke, Pembridge.
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This is a free one day event for Headteachers, Eco Leads and Eco reps held at the Shirehall, Hereford. The aim of the event is to write and implement your school carbon reduction plan. You will hear from a range of expert speakers and take part in workshops. There is also an opportunity to share best practice with schools throughout the Marches.
We have been working with Herefordshire Council to produce a carbon audit handbook for completion before the event as well as a home energy diary. When you return to school you will have all of the information you need to write your carbon reduction action plan.