THE ECO-COMMITTEE

Our student-led Eco-Committee, established in the last year, is tasked with exploring ways to improve the school’s environmental impact. It comprises 15 students from across the Prep School and Senior School and it is supported by 11 adult members of staff. Members were elected democratically and they meet weekly to discuss environmental initiatives and education in the school.

The committee started by undertaking a full Environmental Review, to understand how green the school currently is and identify opportunities for quick fixes and longer-term change. Each section related to different topics related to climate change to give a full 360-degree overview. This review guided the Eco-Committee to develop an Action Plan for both Prep School and Senior School. They presented this to the Estate staff, with suggestions including planting trees and plants in certain parts of the campus, creating bug hotels and wild areas to encourage more nature in the grounds. The students have also worked with staff to have meaningful discussions about reducing energy use across campus. 

The group is very mature in its approach and takes minutes for transparency and to give accountability, ensuring all actions discussed in the meetings are fulfilled.

THE ECO PROMISE

The Eco-Committee developed Radnor ‘s Eco Promise, which features actions that every member of the school community can pledge to fulfil. Some are small such as promising to turn off lights, use recycling bins correctly and others are on a grander scale, such as learning more about biodiversity; planting trees flowers and vegetables; and learning more about sustainable energy.

The students have also pioneered the installation of bug hotels across campus and become more involved in maintaining the school beehives. They have also appointed energy monitors to reduce power wastage.

The Eco-Committee is undertaking a wide range of projects, which is helping students across all year groups to develop multi-disciplinary skills. Furthermore, the Eco-Committee is as committed to promoting environmental action across the school as it is on making specific changes. Through posters around the school, an environmentally themed Make a Difference Day and assemblies the Committee has led the whole school to make change. It has also shaped the education in the classroom, with topics such as biodiversity and waste reduction layered into different areas of the curriculum, promoting awareness, and placing focus for the green agenda.

CHALLENGES

Having undertaken such a wide range of initiatives, measuring impact across all areas of influence is not straightforward, particularly around awareness. Therefore, the Committee has implemented a mixture of initiatives that can be achieved immediately alongside other longer-term goals.

The Eco-Committee was keen to incorporate nature and environment into classroom activities. To get more students engaged the Eco-Committee explored collaborations with external organisations. This included linking with the British Antarctic Survey. Accessing the award-winning educational resources has engaged more young people in science and raised awareness of the activities of conservation groups and the value of scientific study. These activities also help the school to make an impact beyond its boundaries

Radnor House Sevenoaks has further supported learning by completing the RSPB’s Big Birdwatch with the Prep School and has just started to produce honey from hives on site, involving students from all year groups in care for the bees and extraction.

THE IMPACT

Since the Eco-Committee appointed energy monitors, discussed minimising energy consumption with the Estate team and developed posters to raise awareness of power wastage, we have seen a vast reduction in the school’s use of electricity and gas. The figures show we have reduced electricity use by 2.5% compared to figures from the previous year.

We have already planted 102 saplings on campus with more scheduled.

The work completed has also helped Radnor House Sevenoaks to receive an Eco-Schools Green Flag with Distinction.

Fraser Halliwell, Head at Radnor House Sevenoaks, said: “While the initiative was inspired by Green Flag accreditation, the students have very much run with it and added their own ideas to strengthen how we can commit to making our school more environmentally friendly. It has been a joy to see our students taking the lead. They bring new perspectives as well as lots of enthusiasm, which not only makes change happen but also inspires their peers to get involved – the true marker that we are cultivating a green ethos.”

A Year 8 student on Radnor House Sevenoaks’ Eco-Committee, says: “We love having the responsibility to make our school a greener and cleaner space. I have learnt a lot during the process, from completing the Environmental Review to coming up with ideas to make the school more eco-friendly and then presenting our activity to the staff and other students. It’s really satisfying to see the progress we have made in such a short space of time.”

To continue to make meaningful change and raise awareness of conservation in the school, the Eco-Committee is developing initiatives guided by environmental schemes including the Woodland Trust Platinum Award, RSPB Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards and the John Muir Conserver Award.