Maximising student participation in sustainability

Case study

Sixth form students at Ringwood School inspired a whole-school commitment to recycling, waste minimisation and improving the school grounds.

Key learning

The sustainability ethos is embedded throughout the whole school, with strong support from the local community.
Engaging students with leadership qualities is an effective way of encouraging wider student participation.
Student-led projects give older students opportunities to develop leadership and communication skills, while younger students benefit from working with excellent role models.
Incentives can play a helpful role in achieving project goals and acknowledging the effort of students is crucial.
Local business groups and partnerships are actively involved in the school’s sustainability initiatives.
Students act as sustainability advisors to Ringwood Town Council and were heavily involved in the town’s successful bid for Fairtrade status.

Background

During a visit to a field study centre, sixth form students from Ringwood School saw a lecturer retrieve a piece of screwed up paper from a bin, smooth it out and place it in a ‘reuse’ box. This prompted the students to consider their wasteful practices and they resolved to make their school more sustainable. Together with their teacher, these students became the core of a group committed to creating change in the school. They undertook an environmental review of the school, which suggested that a major challenge lay ahead.

Key challenges

Securing funding

Although the headteacher was highly supportive of the students’ aims, no internal funding was available to get the sustainability initiative underway. However, external funding meant that recycling bins could be placed in each classroom.

Building status

During the early stages of the project it was important for the students to build the status of the sustainability project within the school. Events including an eco day and a visit to a local study centre helped to generate interest, while engaging charismatic students from different year groups helped to build the project’s profile throughout the school.

Solution

Building a project team

The sixth form students and their teacher formed the core team for the sustainability initiative. With support from the headteacher, the team recruited a governor, parent and teacher to take on particular roles within the project.

Developing projects

The students led a wide range of projects, from developing ponds and planting trees within the school grounds, to organising Fairtrade events and sourcing lunches from local suppliers. The allocation of a small budget allowed the students to focus on grounds and waste minimisation projects, while also exploring water, transport and energy issues.

Creating learning opportunities

The school has successfully integrated sustainability into all curriculum areas, creating a powerful catalyst for change at the same time as raising standards and increasing motivation for learning. Beyond the curriculum, students have benefited from learning experiences ranging from writing letters and grant applications to organising events.

Establishing networks

Ringwood School joined the Eco-Schools programme and was awarded a Green Flag in recognition of its work on sustainability. Following a presentation to Hampshire headteachers, the students worked with other schools in the area and collaborated on the Sustainable School Self-Evaluation pilot.

Sharing responsibility

Different teachers have assumed responsibility for transport, the built environment, healthy schools and grounds development. Responsibility for the wide range of recycling schemes is shared amongst teachers and students, underpinned by an innovative reward scheme in tutor groups.

Maintaining momentum

An eco council made up student ‘eco representatives’ maintains effective communications throughout the school. An informal student group also meets regularly to discuss and write about sustainability issues.

Next steps

Ringwood School’s improvement plan makes clear its commitment to becoming a model of sustainable development for the local community. Although its main areas of focus remain waste minimisation, recycling and grounds improvement, the school will also explore other areas of sustainability. Ringwood will also share its successful strategies for student engagement with other schools in its community of practice.

Further information

For further information contact Ringwood School.