Sustainability

At the David Ross Education Trust, we are committed to building a greener, more sustainable future for our students, staff and communities. Every academy plays a part in reducing our environmental impact and inspiring young people to take positive action for the planet. On this page, you’ll find our school’s Climate Action Plan along with updates on projects and activities that showcase how we are putting sustainability into practice.

Academy Climate Action Plan

Eastfield Academy Climate Action Plan

Current Projects & Activities

1. Eco-Schools / Green Flag Holder

   • We currently holds the Eco-Schools Green Flag award, which is a recognition of schools embedding environmental education and sustainable practice in their everyday operation. 

   • We have an Eco-Team  that students can join, giving pupils a leadership / responsibility role in sustainability efforts.

2. School Garden and RHS Garden Award

   • We have a school garden which is used in learning and enrichment. We grow our own fruit and vegetables we then hand out to families.

   • They achieved the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) “Level 5 Garden award” for that garden and its use. That indicates a high standard of gardening, biodiversity, learning, etc. 

3. Energy / Resource Conservation & Wildflower Planting

   • As part of a project with the University of Northampton under the “Ignite your Spark / SPARK Student Awards,” students at Eastfield Academy take actions like:
     • turning off lights, monitors, electrical devices when not in use, to save energy;
     • planting wildflowers;
     • litter picking;
     • growing crops to share with families in the school community. 

4. Forest School / Outdoor Learning

   • Pupils have taken part in “Forest School taster” sessions with the University of Northampton, using wooded areas for learning, doing mini beast hunts, scavenger challenges, etc. 

   • These kinds of activities build environmental awareness as well as resilience, problem-solving, appreciation for nature. 

5. Curriculum / Enrichment That Supports Environmental Awareness

   • Our curriculum emphasises building knowledge of the world beyond just academic subjects, including understanding of their place in a local, wider and world community. This is consistent with environmental citizenship being part of what they want pupils to learn. 

6. Community & Local Engagement

   • We have also done “care & share uniform days” and donations to local food banks. While these are more social than strictly environmental, they connect to sustainability in terms of reducing waste, reusing resources, community support. 

   • The wildflower planting, growing crops, and sharing with families are also community-oriented. 

Our Eco and Sustainability projects