Why We Have a Sustainability Strategy
At Wellgate, we believe that alongside academic learning, it’s critical we nurture responsible, environmentally aware citizens of the future. A clear sustainability strategy helps us to think ahead — not just day-by-day, but how our decisions today affect the world tomorrow.
  • Reducing our environmental impact — by improving energy efficiency, reducing waste and using resources more carefully, we can minimise our school’s carbon footprint and help protect the planet.
  • Embedding “green skills” and environmental literacy — by weaving sustainability and climate awareness into our curriculum, we help children understand how human activity affects the Earth, and teach them the skills to make positive choices.
  • Giving children agency and hope — when children learn about real-world issues and how they can make a difference, they grow into empowered young people who believe they can help build a more sustainable future.


What We Have Done So Far
Since launching our sustainability strategy, here are a few of the steps we’ve taken:
  • We have updated lighting and heating systems to more energy-efficient models, helping to lower energy use across the school.
  • Recycling and waste reduction routines have been strengthened — including improved recycling bins, regular waste audits, and reduced paper use where possible.
  • We have begun integrating sustainability across classroom subjects: science, geography, art, and even maths lessons now include themes such as climate change, recycling, energy use, and biodiversity.
  • We have started looking at ways to improve green spaces in our school grounds (trees, plants, wild corners, nature-friendly areas), to help connect children with the natural world.
  • Staff and teachers have begun regular discussions about further “green” actions — from reducing single-use plastics in school lunches to encouraging walking, cycling or public transport for school runs — modelling sustainable behaviour for our school community.


What This Means for Our Children
Embedding sustainability across the school helps children:
  • Understand the science behind climate change and environmental issues (how energy use, waste, pollution and human activity impact the planet).
  • Learn practical “green skills” — such as waste reduction, recycling, energy saving, caring for nature, and making informed consumer choices.
  • Develop a sense of responsibility and stewardship: that their choices matter, and that even small actions (turning off lights, recycling, caring for nature) can make a difference.
  • Build hope, resilience and agency: rather than feeling overwhelmed by climate issues, children learn that they can contribute positively.


Further Reading & Resources for Parents
If you’d like to learn more about the importance of teaching children about climate, sustainability and “green skills,” here are some family- and school-friendly resources:
  • Eco‑Schools (UK): a leading organisation helping schools deliver pupil-led sustainability programmes and support environmental education. (Eco Schools)
  • WWF UK — their “Schools Sustainability Guide” offers advice and practical steps for schools (and families) on energy, waste, biodiversity, travel, food and more. (wwf.org.uk)
  • National Geographic Kids — excellent child-friendly explanations of climate change, its causes and what we can do to help. (National Geographic)
  • NASA Climate Kids — a fun, engaging resource explaining climate science to children in simple terms. (NASA Science)
We encourage parents to explore these at home — supporting and reinforcing the sustainability values and learning your child experiences at school.


Our Policy & Action Plan
You can read our full Sustainability Policy and Action Plan here:
If you have any questions or ideas — or would like to help us in our sustainability work — we’d love to hear from you. Please contact the school office or speak to your child’s class teacher.


We believe that by working together — school, children, families — we can help build a brighter, greener future.
Wellgate Primary School – growing green together 🌍