Stratford School Sustainability Programme
We are delighted to be working in collaboration with 9 Stratford upon Avon primary schools and 8 local charities to deliver an engaging educational programme in environmental sustainability.
Each school will be able to take chiildren aged 7 - 10 to 7 differnt locations throughout the year to discover mor about forestry, biodiversity, energy, food, water, waste and how to build a sustainable city. Each day has been designed to inspire and nurture the children’s connection with the natural environment. The programme i gnites their curiosity, develops problem solving skills and broadens their career opportunities.
Forest day – The children will spend the day at Heart of England Forest to plant trees locally before visiting a mature woodland where they will learn about the importance of trees and animals. They will be encouraged to learn what animals use and depend on trees, parts of a tree and what they need to grow, how trees produce oxygen and store carbon, how to identify tree varieties, learn about their lifecycle, the different uses of forests, the impacts of human activities, deforestation, afforestation, reforestation and open burning. This will encourage a connection with nature and a desire to protect and plant trees.
Biodiversity day – The children will visit a local natural habitat with the Wildlife Trust to discover rare and endangered species bats, birds, insects and small mammals where they can develop a love and respect for nature and biodiversity. They will learn about different ecosystems, how living organisms interact, why it’s important to maintain biodiversity, how climate change and deforestation is affecting biodiversity and the natural environment.
Energy day - the children will visit the UK's largest community solar farm (HECE) to get a better understanding of Solar, Wind, heat source hydroelectric and nuclear power sources. In the afternoon the Smallpeice Trust will bring a renewable Energy STEM workshop into the school where the children can build mini wind turbines and get a better understanding of solar technology.
Food day - The children will visit a local farm to see the basics of food production, soil health, seasonal eating and importance of biodiversity. They will cook a delicious meal from the vegetables they have harvested themselves and eat a healthy lunch together. This will encourage healthy eating, nurturing a connection with food from field to fork. It will cover balanced diets, nutrients and food groups, where food comes from and how a balanced ecosystem and sustainable farming is important for food production.
Water day – The children will visit an wetlands habitat at Twycross Zoo, this is an inland
water eco system demonstrating one of the most valuable, natural resources on the planet. Here they will have two workshops, one on the importance of clean water sources, where our water comes from and the different problems we face on our water resource including the impacts of pollution and overconsumption and another one on what biodiversity means, why all animals are important and how we can work together to save the natural world.
Waste day – The children will take part in an interactive drama production based on Scrooge will come into the school to illustrate unnecessary waste which can also be developed into the school Christmas production and visit the Recycling Centre to
understand the importance of 'Reuse, Reduce and Recycle' as well as changes in lifestyle, sustainable fashion and alternatives to plastic.
Sustainable Cities day involves a giant Lego sustainable city workshop coming into the
school to capture the children’s imagination, illustrating how a city could be designed including energy solutions, low carbon buildings, smart LED street lighting, tree lined streets, green spaces and walls for biodiversity, light rail and autonomous vehicles, electric and Hydrogen vehicle charging, recycling, waste to energy plants and future homes.
The programme addresses need that both the children and schools have for an engaging education programme in environmental sustainability issues and solutions, this is currently lacking on the existing curriculum and the next generation need to be equipped with a greater understanding of how they can help to solve climate change both now and in the future.
By taking the children out of the school they will be much more engaged, inspired to care and more inclined to absorb and act on the information. The programme educates children in the need for sustainable professionals encouraging them to consider careers in Energy, Transport, Environment and CSR.
