Climate Action Plan

At Beaconside Primary and Nursery School, we recognise the need to address the environmental challenges facing our world today. We are committed to contributing positively to climate action through practical steps and education. This Climate Action Plan outlines how we are responding to the Department for Education’s (DfE) requirements and demonstrates our commitment to nurturing responsible, environmentally conscious citizens.

Why a Climate Action Plan?

The Department for Education requires all schools to develop and publish a Climate Action Plan to actively reduce their environmental impact and educate pupils about sustainability. This requirement supports the broader national and global goals of reducing carbon emissions and fostering sustainable habits from an early age. Schools play a vital role in shaping the attitudes and behaviours of young people towards the environment, ensuring they are prepared to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing world.

Our School’s Commitment

In line with our vision to provide a safe, happy, inclusive, caring and stimulating learning environment and to nurture children’s understanding of the world in which we live, Beaconside Primary and Nursery School has developed a comprehensive Climate Action Plan that reflects our core values:

• Inclusive and Caring Environment: We ensure that all pupils are supported to understand and participate in environmental initiatives.
• Knowledge and Skills for the Future: Our curriculum integrates climate education, empowering pupils with the knowledge and skills to contribute to a sustainable future.
• Community Partnership: We actively engage parents, governors, and the wider community in our environmental efforts, recognising the importance of partnership in achieving meaningful change.
• Respect and Tolerance: Our plan promotes respect for the natural environment and cultural diversity in environmental practices, encouraging pupils to appreciate different perspectives on sustainability.
• Moral and Social Development: We foster pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural growth by embedding fundamental British values of responsibility and stewardship towards the planet.

Key Elements of Our Climate Action Plan

• Energy Efficiency: We are implementing energy-saving measures across the school site, including LED lighting upgrades and promoting energy awareness among pupils and staff.
• Waste Reduction and Recycling: Our pupils actively participate in recycling programmes and initiatives to reduce single-use plastics within school.
• Sustainable Travel: We encourage walking, cycling, and car-sharing for school journeys, reducing our carbon footprint and promoting healthy lifestyles.
• Outdoor Learning and Biodiversity: Our forest school and outdoor spaces are used to teach pupils about biodiversity, conservation, and the importance of green spaces.
• Curriculum Integration: Climate change and sustainability topics are embedded across subjects, ensuring pupils understand the science, impact, and ways to take action.
• Monitoring and Reporting: We regularly review our progress against targets and share updates with our school community to maintain transparency and accountability.

How You Can Get Involved

We believe that climate action is a collective effort. Parents and carers are encouraged to support our initiatives by:

• Reinforcing sustainable habits at home, such as recycling and reducing waste.
• Participating in school environmental events and campaigns.
• Sharing ideas and feedback to help improve our Climate Action Plan.