The Nottingham Emmanuel School – How can the School’s community contribute more to CN28?

Following conversations between Cllr Hayley Spain, representing Clifton West, and The Nottingham Emmanuel School, the Nottingham Climate Assembly (NCA) facilitated a mini-assembly. Lasting an hour, discussions were held with the Student Leaders representing all year groups and supported by Science Teacher, Miss Webster.

The first half of the mini-assembly began by identifying the strengths and weaknesses of what the school is already doing to support Nottingham Council’s CN28 goals. Among these were:

1. Solar panels on the roof

2. A ban on plastic bottles

3. Some examples of bee-friendly planting

4. Vegetarian and vegan options in the canteen.

Areas where further focus was required included:

1. Transport issues such as the fact that school buses were not restored after COVID-19, leading to more people travelling by car

2. Some missed opportunities for recycling

3. Energy inefficiencies.

The second half of the session looked at how student involvement in environmental issues could be increased. The Leaders had a variety of suggestions including:

1. Creating Climate Ambassador roles

2. Wearing something green on Earth Day

3. Having competitions between Tutor Groups or Houses

4. Holding Gardening/Agriculture sessions using an unexploited asset, the school allotment, with the Food Technology team, inviting Speakers and students to spread the word in the local community to support local activities.  

Overall the session was both positive and interesting with student leaders taking forward these learnings and suggestions to school management to help create action plans.

Additionally, the student leaders were made aware of the Nottingham Climate Assembly Youth Panel who are always on the lookout for new members.