At Much Wenlock Primary School and Nursery, sustainability isn’t just a word—it’s one of our core school values. We are dedicated to unlocking potential and empowering every child to thrive, and this includes nurturing responsible global citizens who care deeply for our environment.
We are on an exciting journey towards sustainability, embedding the essential practices of reducing, reusing, and recycling into everything we do.
Our Sustainability Vision
“At Much Wenlock Primary School and Nursery, our vision for sustainability is clear: in everything we do, we strive to reduce waste, reuse creatively, and recycle responsibly. From powering our building with solar energy, to partnering with local businesses to keep our town thriving, we are empowering our whole community to nurture and protect our environment for generations to come.”
Our Actions So Far
Here’s how we’re making sustainability part of everyday life at school:
Reducing
- Eco-Friendly Stationery – We’ve invested in environmentally responsible classroom materials, such as refillable whiteboard pencils.
- Energy Awareness Campaigns – Our Sustainability Ambassadors create posters reminding everyone to save energy by turning off lights, taps, and heating when not in use.
- Woodland Sessions – In our two dedicated woodland areas, we nurture our natural environment, teaching children conservation through activities like den-building and creating bug houses.
- Solar Panels – Our school building is powered by solar energy, significantly reducing our carbon footprint and reliance on non-renewable energy.
- Reducing Paper Usage – We are consciously reducing the amount of paper we print, encouraging more direct recording in pupils’ books rather than using printed worksheets wherever possible.
Reusing
- Upcycled Uniforms – Our donation cupboard offers preloved uniforms, reducing textile waste.
- EYFS Sustainability Champions – Our EYFS team sources nearly all their resources second-hand, incorporating natural and reused materials in play and exploration. Our EYFS hub was described as “innovative” by the Shropshire Star, who highlighted that there is nothing else like it in Shropshire.
- Creative Reuse of Containers – Single-use plastic dessert pots from school lunches have been creatively repurposed as glue pots and art supplies holders.
- Inside Garden Project – Bring the Outside In – We’ve initiated an indoor plant project to enhance our indoor environment, teaching children essential nurturing skills.
Recycling
- Paper Recycling – Dedicated bins and clearly labelled ‘scrap paper’ drawers encourage thoughtful reuse and recycling.
- Christmas Card Community Recycling Box – Placed in reception, encouraging the wider community to responsibly recycle festive waste.
- Bags2School Clothing Recycling – While most schools collect around 250kg, we went above and beyond—gathering over half a tonne!
- Supporting the circular economy – By extending the life of clothing, we reduce waste and keep textiles in use for longer.
- Creating jobs – The sorted clothes are sent across the world, including Africa, Southeast Asia, Europe, and the UK, supporting the secondhand clothing industry and providing employment for thousands of people.
- Being eco-friendly – By reusing clothing, we are significantly cutting down on landfill waste and reducing our environmental impact.
Wildlife and Nature Care
- RSPB Birdwatch & Going Wild Challenges – Engaging children in wildlife observation and care, ensuring our woodland areas remain safe and nurturing for wildlife.
- Cherry Tree Planting – Pupils learnt valuable planting and nurturing skills through hands-on experience in our school grounds.
- Litter Picking – Students regularly tidy the school grounds at lunch and break times, maintaining a clean, safe environment for wildlife and our community.
- Great Big School Clean Up
Community and Local Partnerships
- Supporting Local Businesses – We actively work with local businesses and organisations, ensuring our town remains economically vibrant and sustainable for years to come.
Recognition and Curriculum Development
- Media Recognition – Our commitment to sustainability has been recognised positively in local media, highlighting our school’s efforts and achievements.
- Embedding Sustainability in our Curriculum – We are currently enhancing our curriculum to deepen children’s understanding of sustainability, recognising its vital importance for future generations.
- Climate Action Plan – We have created a detailed Climate Action Plan to ensure clear goals and measurable progress on our sustainability journey.
Our Dedicated Sustainability Team
- Whole-School Approach – Our dedicated Sustainability Team, made up of passionate staff members, child Sustainability Ambassadors, and governors, are all actively working together to drive our school’s sustainability agenda forward.
Our Plans for the Future
We believe in always looking forward. Here’s what’s next for Much Wenlock Primary School and Nursery’s sustainability journey:
- Walk to School Month & 30 Days Wild: Encouraging healthier, greener ways to travel and fostering a deeper connection with nature.
- The Great Big Green Week (7–15 June) & Plastic Free July: Campaigning for a healthier, plastic-free environment.
- Recycling Assemblies & Playground Recycling Bins: Collaborating with local companies and council representatives to embed better recycling habits school-wide.
- Water Awareness & Rainwater Harvesting: Raising awareness of water waste and exploring water butt installations.
- School Allotment & Composting Initiative: Growing, cooking, and composting our own produce, nurturing self-sufficiency.
- Wildflower Meadow & Bee-Friendly Garden: Creating habitats that attract pollinators, with a beekeeper visit to inspire and educate our children.
Measuring Our Impact
To continuously improve, we plan yearly waste audits, involving our children in collecting and analysing data to assess the effectiveness of our efforts. By tracking our progress, we can clearly see our achievements and set new targets for the future.
How You Can Help
We encourage all parents, carers, and community members to support our sustainability journey. Small actions make a big difference:
- Reuse uniform items and participate in our Bags2School clothing drive.
- Support our recycling projects by bringing recyclable items to designated areas.
- Engage with school events, clean-ups, and sustainability campaigns.
Together, we can make our community a greener, more sustainable place for future generations.
Much Wenlock Primary School and Nursery—Empowering every child to thrive in a sustainable future.