Climate Change at Randwick C of E Primary School

At Randwick Church of England Primary School, we are passionate about protecting our planet and preparing our children to become responsible global citizens. We recognise the importance of taking meaningful action against climate change and are committed to making sustainable choices across our school community.

That’s why we are proud to be working with Let’s Go Zero, a national campaign uniting schools on the journey to becoming zero carbon. Alongside this, we are also part of the Gloucester Diocese Net Zero 2030 Project, which supports schools and churches to reduce carbon emissions and take courageous steps to steward God’s creation. These local and national partnerships help us take practical steps to reduce our environmental impact – from cutting energy use and minimising waste, to promoting greener travel and embedding sustainability into our curriculum.

By working with Let’s Go Zero and the Diocese, we are empowering our pupils to understand the challenges of climate change and inspiring them to take positive action both in school and at home. Our goal is clear: to create a greener, cleaner future for our children and for generations to come.

What is Climate Change?

Climate change is a long-term shift in global or regional climate patterns, particularly evident from the mid-20th century onwards. It is largely linked to increased levels of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases produced by the burning of fossil fuels.

There are many human factors contributing to climate change, including:

• greenhouse gases caused by industry and transport,
• deforestation, with more than half of the Earth’s surface already altered by humans,
• damage to the ozone layer, trapping more heat near the Earth’s surface,
• and different types of air pollution that impact the atmosphere in complex ways.

The challenge of climate change is formidable. But as the Department for Education (2023) reminds us: children and young people need not just the truth about climate change through knowledge-rich education, but also the hope that they can be agents of change through hands-on action, skills development, and green career pathways.

What Can We Do?

The DfE has asked all schools to create a sustainability and climate action plan, setting out how we can reduce our environmental footprint, support national and international goals, and prepare young people with the skills they need to thrive in the green economy.

At Randwick, our action plan ensures that children are not only learning about climate change, but also experiencing what it means to be good stewards of creation. From their earliest years through to Year 6, our pupils gain knowledge, understanding and lived experiences that help them translate learning into positive action.

Using the four areas identified in the DfE’s Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy, our plan focuses on:

1. Decarbonisation – reducing carbon emissions and improving energy efficiency.
2. Adaptation and Resilience – preparing for the risks of flooding, overheating, and extreme weather.
3. Biodiversity – engaging with initiatives such as the National Education Nature Park to value and protect nature.
4. Climate Education and Green Careers – providing knowledge-rich teaching about climate change, green skills, and future opportunities.

Connecting Children with Nature

We believe that creating an environment where children connect deeply with nature is essential if they are to value and protect it. Through our curriculum and eco-projects, pupils will:

• spend regular time outdoors, learning more about the natural world,
• take an active role in improving their local environment,
• and understand how green spaces support both physical and mental wellbeing.

Climate adaptation and decarbonisation activities also provide powerful learning opportunities. Our children will:

• help to implement adaptation measures in school,
• learn in buildings that move towards net zero,
• explore the impact of energy and water use,
• and see sustainability brought to life in the spaces around them.

Our Christian Vision in Action

Our climate action work is an expression of our theologically rooted Christian vision – to live well together in God’s world, supporting a more equitable and just future. By linking our local actions with the wider work of the Diocese and the national Let’s Go Zero campaign, we are equipping our pupils with both the truth and the hope they need to flourish as courageous advocates for creation.

Randwick C of E Primary School Climate Action Plan is created in conjunction with information from Lets Go Zero, Global Action, Ministry of eco -education and National Education Nature Park.

This is the first draft and will be amended on a continual basis.

Reviewed by the Governing Board on : 

Created by: Mr D Herbert Sustainability lead, Mrs Wilson Headteacher, Mr Nosalik Sustainability Governor.

https://www.globalactionplan.org.uk/

https://letsgozero.org/

https://www.educationnaturepark.org.uk/

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/sustainability-leadership-and-climate-action-plans-in-education