The Park’s First Sustainability Week

Year 7 to 9 have been digging, planting, creating and cooking their way through Sustainability Week. In its inaugural year, Sustainability Week aims to progress a number of environmental ideas and ecological projects on the Park.

Ground force teams have overhauled the underused area around Townson to make way for a Wildlife and Wellbeing Garden, the Allotment has been partially cleared to build a fire pit, and a hawthorn hedgerow has been planted to border the Orchard adjacent to Fryer House.

In the Design Technology workshop, insect hotels and bug houses have been crafted, ready to open for business in the renewed Townson Garden; each unique design uses reclaimed or foraged materials. Inspiring further creativity were al fresco willow weaving sessions, from which an amorphous family of sculptures have been produced.

Taking rest bite from their physical activities, groups took it in turns to investigate ways to improve recycling at the School, looking at both practicalities and how to promote the system within the community.

Students developed their global awareness as they were challenged to create a meal with limited ingredients to serve to their fellow year groups around the Park. Sustainability comprises one of Leighton Park’s seven key Quaker values and it continues to inform the way the School, its student and staff, operate.

Emily in Year 7 reflected with her peers Eva, Joseph and Daniel, “I think just one school isn’t going to make that much of a difference to the entire earth but the fact that we are doing this creates the mindset that it’s a good thing to do and we should do it, and then you will tell other people and it will just spread. So suddenly everyone will be doing these sustainable things and that will make a difference.” Daniel agreed “I do feel like it’s a chain effect!”

Jenny Powlesland, Assistant Head & Head of Teaching and Learning, enthused “I have loved seeing everybody in Year 7, 8 and 9 working in teams, outside, being creative, getting stuck in with their hands and doing something active that will make a small difference that I hope they will carry on into their own lives.”