Using sustainability to develop staff and pupil leaders

Case study

Lark Rise Lower School empowered pupils, staff and parents to develop a wildlife area in the school grounds and raise awareness of environmental issues throughout the community.

Key learning and outcomes

The school’s wildlife area is used for growing plants, trees and vegetables and 98 per cent of the children say they regularly spend time there.
The school has seen an increase in physical activity during break times and teachers have noticed that pupils settle into afternoon lessons more quickly.
Developing global links has led to a revamped geography curriculum and the addition of modern foreign languages in all phases.
The school received an International School Award in 2007.
Engaging with the local environment has helped pupils to develop an awareness of issues including water and energy usage and food production.
Feedback from parents indicates that pupils are using their new awareness of environmental issues to make changes in their homes and the local community.

Background

Lark Rise Lower School is located on a large housing estate in a relatively urban area of Dunstable. Assistant head Carrie Skelton explains the school’s ethos: “We have always placed a high emphasis on both staff and pupil voice and the contribution that all stakeholders can make to the continual development and improvement of the school.”

The school has various forums that support staff and pupil contribution, including a school council, philosophy for children lessons, a strong PSHE curriculum, planned professional development and distributed leadership roles.

Key challenges and issues

Extending opportunities to staff and pupils

Although at times it can be challenging for school leaders to hand responsibility over to staff and pupils, Lark Rise has found that extending opportunities to lead on sustainability is an excellent way to make quick progress and develop leadership skills throughout the whole school community.

Taking a broad view of sustainability

Lark Rise has endeavoured to override any perceptions that people may have about sustainable living being about ‘tree hugging’. The school believes that sustainability is one of the most worthwhile, meaningful agendas that schools can engage with.

Solution or approach

Gathering staff and pupil suggestions

The school began to explore sustainability through its existing staff and pupil forums. Pupils made suggestions for improving the school grounds, while teachers discussed ideas for introducing a more global dimension to curriculum policy and planning.

Developing a wildlife area

Pupils at the school wanted to create a nature area within the school grounds, where they could study minibeasts, grow fruit and vegetables and enjoy playing in a wild area. Pupils, teachers and parents joined together to form a working group to lead the wildlife area project.

Empowering staff and pupils

The school’s senior leadership team handed full responsibility for the project to the working group. A teacher and teaching assistant took on leadership roles within the group, while the pupils also developed leadership skills by organising class discussions and gathering feedback from their peers.

Funding the project

The parent teacher association provided a large proportion of the funding needed for the project and also engaged local businesses in the initiative. A local garden centre donated fruit trees for the wildlife area.

Building international links

The school has established a programme of annual visits to France and Germany and includes global dimensions in curriculum planning. Lark Rise also regularly hosts international visitors.

Next steps

Lark Rise Lower School plans to reduce its carbon footprint and will explore the potential for adopting alternative energy sources. The school hopes to extend its work with external organisations, the local community and international partners. It will also continue to create opportunities for staff and pupils to lead on environmental initiatives as a way of developing their leadership skills.

Further information

For further information contact Lark Rise Lower School.