At Newchurch Community Primary School, we believe that looking after our world is an important part of learning and growing. Just as we care for each other, we also have a duty to care for our environment.
That is why our school has a Sustainability and Climate Plan. This plan guides us in making thoughtful choices about how we use energy, reduce waste, and protect nature. It also helps us teach children that small steps—like recycling, saving water, planting trees, and walking or cycling to school—can make a big difference when we all work together.
Our aim is to make our school a place where pupils not only learn about the world but also learn how to care for it. By weaving sustainability into daily school life, we are preparing our children to become responsible citizens who understand that their actions matter.
We are proud to take this duty seriously, and we welcome our families and community to join us in building a greener, healthier future for everyone.
Newchurch achieved a DISTINCTION in the Eco Schools Green Flag Award. Here is our feedback:
Your Greatest Overall Success: Raising awareness.
The whole school has become deeply engaged in climate education and sustainability, and this clear shift is an incredible achievement. Both children and staff are now better informed, enabling them to make thoughtful, responsible choices. This progress has been made possible through the dedication of your Eco-Team, whose hard work and commitment have driven positive changes in habits and behaviours across the school community.
We Also Loved:
• We loved the level of detail and thought that has gone into each of your Action Plan topics. You have explored every area thoroughly, setting clear actions and providing thoughtful evaluations. This depth of reflection shows real commitment to meaningful, sustainable change.
• The thoughtful question posed to Year 4 in Geography has linked beautifully to so many areas of learning. Exploring the unit ‘Where does food come from?’ has connected naturally to global citizenship, healthy living, transport, and waste. Learning about food miles, investigating packaging, and conducting fieldwork has brought the topic to life and helped learners think more deeply about making responsible choices.
• Linking learning to age-appropriate books makes the experience engaging and attention-grabbing. The Wild Tribe series focuses on endangered species and the ecological challenges they face, making it a powerful resource for developing environmental awareness. Using these books as the foundation for a whole-school Earth Day celebration was a beautiful idea, bringing the themes to life in a way that was meaningful and memorable for all learners.
• Collaboration is key to success, and you have truly nailed this. Involving key people such as the site manager has strengthened your approach, ensuring that everyone plays a part in supporting and sustaining your eco-initiatives. This shared responsibility helps embed lasting change across the whole school community.
• Well done! Creating 1,000 sq m of natural habitat is an impressive achievement. This scale of transformation makes a meaningful contribution to local biodiversity and shows real dedication to improving the environment for wildlife and learners alike.
• We were delighted to read that the House of Commons has been in touch to arrange a visit. When local MPs visit schools to see eco-projects in action, it not only validates the students’ hard work but also gives policymakers a tangible sense of the passion and innovation happening at community level. Opportunities like this help amplify your learners’ voices and highlight the meaningful change they are driving.
Next Year, Why Not Try… Wow — you have had an outstanding year. Keep doing exactly what you’re doing. We loved reading about all your achievements and can’t wait to check back in next year to see how your incredible journey continues.