Environmental Education

Sustainability Success Story
I believe that this school is unique, a magical place with its wood and farm. The environmental education that takes place here is vital to the development of the whole school and its well-being.

All our activities have a significant impact on improved pupil participation, ownership, leadership for all, achievements and self esteem. This impact encompasses not just the children, but staff, parents and the local community as well. We are an International School with children of many different faiths, colours and backgrounds. We reflect the rich diversity found in the city of Nottingham and I am immensely proud of what we are all trying to achieve. One aspect of our work on sustainability is developing our global links with schools in New Zealand, Spain and Uganda. We have recently gained an International Schools award.

These views were substantiated in an OFSTED report 2007 which described the school as “making a magnificent contribution to the environment”. It goes on to say: “The resources (farm and wood) are fully integrated into the curriculum and all pupils gain great benefit from regularly using them.” “Many pupils demonstrate great care and understanding for animals, wildlife and the environment through their work as part of the Eco Club.” I feel that we are all part of something special at Edwalton. This school continues to grow by embracing the philosophy that sustainability is at the heart of all we try to do. A key part of the next phase of our journey is the creation of our sustainability network and to design and run CPD programmes for other schools.
Brian Owens – Headteacher.
How did we get here?
A key part of our original strategy for the development of sustainable education was to distribute the ownership of the farm, school grounds, animals and to involve more staff, children, parents and governors. The next step was to make stronger links with local conservation groups like Nottingham Wildlife Trust and National bodies such as Growing Schools and the Federation of Farms and Gardens. The school also acts as a trustee for the wood in partnership with Rushcliffe Borough Council and Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust. The parents association are part of the whole ethos and raise a significant amount of money for the farm, woods and grounds.
The next part of the strategy was to review the curriculum provision throughout the school and look for opportunities to include sustainability. This review in 2002 involved staff, governors and local authority following an OFSTED inspection which suggested that the school could make greater use of its unique environment within the curriculum. Subject leaders led reviews and discussions. Senior staff and working parties completed a curriculum framework from Foundation to Key Stage 2. This work raised the profile of subject leaders and brought the whole staff together. Projects that took place over the past 5 years have included redesign of the farm unit, improvement of animal housing, tree felling, woodland ground clearing, the construction of outdoor woodland classrooms, bird box housing, as well as a host of other environmental work linked to the curriculum through trails, orienteering studies, survey work etc. This work is supported by a loyal group of governors and parents. A recent project we completed was the construction of a new pond dipping platform. The reserve is a completely safe, enclosed environmental wildlife area. The Ofsted report of 2007 was a vindication and affirmation of all that this school stands for. “Edwalton makes a magnificent contribution to the environment 2007”  Following the Ofsted the school attracted a significant amount of positive publicity and enquiries regarding our approach to sustainability. During some of our Network meetings with Notts Wildlife Trust, Encams, NCSL and School Farms Network we were invited to submit a bid to become a leading school for sustainability. The bid was successful. We wanted to inspire others to get involved in the sustainable agenda. We formed a hub of 6 schools. None of these schools are within our local family of schools. They are both from within and outside of our local authority county boundary. We have worked together to promote excellence in both leadership and practise. We have worked closely with NCSL, Schools Farms Network, and Schools Specialist Trust. The hub has acted as a catalyst for all of the schools to reflect upon their practise, evaluate their provision and initiate changes. All of the schools craved and needed a set of tools to support them through the process. Through involvement with Eco Schools and the Learning Outside the Classroom agenda we trailed the Sustainability Toolkit and other materials from SFN (Get your hands dirty). The feedback after a year is that the Community of Practice has enabled participating schools to significantly improve their understanding and provision for sustainabililty. Practical changes have been put in place. The staff involved feel that their leadership capacity has been significantly empowered. Most schools within the hub are now able to sustain their own agenda.
Our 'hub' of schools
To find out more about sustainability at these schools click on the links to go to their websites.
Edwalton Primary, Nottingham.
East Bridgford, Nottingham.
Archbishop Cramner, Nottingham.
Crossdale Primary, Nottingham.
Radcliffe on Trent, Nottingham.
Eastfield Primary, Leicester.

TEACHING AWARDS 2009 - 'Sustainable School Category'
See our latest newsletter to see how we are getting on. We are attending the regional final on Friday 5th June. More news will follow shortly.
'Living for Tomorrow' Award for Edwalton
The Green Guardian Awards, run by the Notts Wildlife Trust, took place at the Council House in the centre of Nottingham City Centre.
Edwalton Primary won the Green Guardians 'Living for Tomorrow' award for its approach to sustainable living.


Former Edwalton Primary School pupil Alicia Mistry, 11, and Isla Sleath, of Rushcliffe Wildlife Watch Group, were joint winners of the Young Environmentalist of the Year award.

Orston Primary School won the Education and the Environment award for the second year running, and Flintham Primary School's Growing Greener Group won the Environmental Community of the Year Award.

Environmentalist of the Year was David Dixon, head teacher of Bowbridge Primary School in Newark, who leads a project which encourages people to grow their own food.The Protecting the Environment Through Partnership award was won by the Partnership Council, which works with other bodies across the city to promote green activities.