Introduction

At St Paul's Catholic Primary School, we are committed to playing our part in tackling climate change and building a more sustainable future. As educators, we believe in leading by example and teaching our pupils to care for the world around them. From reducing our carbon footprint to making our buildings more energy-efficient, sustainability is embedded in both our operations and values.

Sustainability is also a key focus for both our Eco Club and Senior Leadership Team, who are actively helping to shape and drive forward our school’s environmental efforts.

We embed sustainability and climate education throughout the curriculum, helping children understand their impact on the planet and empowering them to make a difference.

We are proud to have a dedicated Eco Committee of pupils, working alongside staff to lead environmental initiatives across the school.

Why We Are Taking Action

The climate crisis affects everyone — and schools have a responsibility to take action. By making sustainable choices now, we aim to:

• Reduce our environmental impact

• Lower energy costs

• Create a healthier learning environment

• Educate pupils about sustainability through real-life action

• Support Oxfordshire’s wider net zero targets

You can view our developing Climate Impact Plan, which sets out our strategic approach below

What We’ve Done So Far

Over the last few years, we’ve made significant investments to improve energy efficiency and reduce emissions across the school site and one thing in particular we have achieved is to install more LED lighting and smart controls. We’ve spent over £10,000 installing LED lights with motion sensors and timers across the school, reducing unnecessary electricity use. We also have dedicated areas of our school grounds which encourage our pupils to engage with nature. These include our wildflower meadow, to promote biodiversity. We also have a very active travel plan which supports sustainability which has achieved outstanding status - more information can be found at St Paul's Catholic Primary School - Travel Plan

Sustainability Across the Curriculum

Sustainability is included in the National Curriculum as a cross-curricular theme. This means that the concept of sustainability is integrated into various subjects, such as science, geography, and design and technology, rather than being taught as a standalone subject. For example, in science, pupils learn about the importance of renewable energy and the effects of pollution on the environment. In geography, they learn about the impact of human activity on the natural world and the importance of preserving natural resources. In design and technology, they learn about sustainable design and the use of recycled materials. Overall, the goal is to educate pupils about the importance of sustainability and how they can play a role in protecting the environment for future generations.  

Please see our climate and sustainability action plan below.