Developing an Environmentally Conscious Community at East Sheen Primary School

At East Sheen Primary School, we are committed to fostering an environmentally intelligent community. To achieve this, we’ve woven environmental awareness throughout our curriculum, sparking discussion, debate, and critical thinking about the pressing challenges our planet faces. Using our “green hat” thinking, we explore innovative solutions to environmental issues and encourage our students to think creatively about their role in making a positive impact.

Our remarkable Green Team has grown significantly, with one representative from each class, from Years 2 to 6, elected by their peers. This group meets regularly with the Environmental Leader to discuss eco-friendly initiatives, update the school on sustainability efforts, and run exciting eco-competitions. Additionally, the ‘Eco Elephant’ award is presented each week to the most eco-conscious classes in both Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2, recognising their efforts to maintain an environmentally friendly classroom.

At East Sheen Primary, we actively promote recycling. Our school recycles cans, plastics, glass, paper, and even old whiteboard pens! Our catering team also contributes to sustainability by using produce from our new school allotments in their lunches. Every week, the whole school comes together to enhance the grounds through collective environmental efforts. Our Green Team and enthusiastic volunteers ensure that everyone—students and staff alike—adheres to the mantra “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” and treats school resources with respect. Volunteers also assist with maintaining recycling bins and using litter pickers to keep the school grounds clean.

The Green Team’s latest project focuses on securing our third Eco-Schools Green Flag. They are collaborating with the Environmental Leader to assess the school’s strengths in sustainability and devise an action plan for continued improvement. With many exciting opportunities on the horizon, we are confident in our ability to create a lasting, positive environmental impact.

Looking ahead, we aim to deepen the environmental thread across our curriculum. By leveraging our Thinking School tools, we will engage students with complex environmental issues, fostering a positive and solution-focused approach to problem-solving.

Each year group has been assigned an environmental guardianship topic, which will be explored through various lessons throughout the year. Students will engage with these issues in a proactive way, considering solutions to environmental threats. The topics for each year group are as follows:

• Reception: Oceans and Endangered Animals

• Year 1: Green Transport

• Year 2: Climate Change

• Year 3: Deforestation

• Year 4: Waste and Consumption

• Year 5: Sustainable Fashion

• Year 6: Air Quality

In recognition of our ongoing efforts, East Sheen Primary School was proudly awarded the Eco-Schools Green Flag Award with Distinction in both July 2023 and 2024. This prestigious recognition highlights our continued commitment to sustainability and environmental education.