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Sustainability

At Adel Primary School, sustainability is at the heart of who we are. It is central to our Kindness Matters ethos, linking to our work on equality, and supports our pupils to understand how their actions can make a positive difference to the world around them.

Our approach is guided by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, helping children to care for the environment, their community and each other.

Sustainability at Adel Primary contributes directly to pupils’ personal development, behaviour and attitudes, curriculum learning and our wider school culture.

A Whole-School Approach: Leadership and Pupil Voice

Sustainability at Adel Primary School is supported by strong leadership and an inclusive, whole-school approach. We believe that meaningful change happens when pupils, staff and leaders work together.

Our Pupil Kindness Matters Council plays an important role in shaping our sustainability work. Council members share ideas, identify priorities and help turn positive intentions into practical actions that make a real difference across the school. This ensures the pupil voice is central to our approach and helps children develop leadership, responsibility and teamwork skills.

Senior leaders recognise the importance of sustainability and review our work regularly. Progress is monitored to ensure actions remain purposeful, achievable and aligned with the school’s values, priorities and improvement planning.

Sustainability is embedded through a whole-school approach. It shapes:

  • Day-to-day routines and behaviours
  • Curriculum planning and teaching
  • Assemblies, enrichment and wider school activities

This ensures that sustainability is not treated as a one-off topic, but as an integral part of how we learn, teach and work together at Adel Primary School.

Climate Action and Environmental Responsibility

We recognise the importance of addressing climate change and are committed to reducing our environmental impact. Our response is set out in our Climate Action Plan, which outlines how we reduce carbon emissions, improve energy efficiency and support pupils to understand environmental responsibility.

Key actions include:

  • Monitoring and reducing energy use across the school
  • Investing in renewable energy
  • Engaging pupils and staff in climate-positive behaviours
  • Embedding climate education into our curriculum.

Energy Saving and Carbon Reduction

We generate renewable energy on site through photovoltaic solar panels and a ground source heat pump. These systems not only help power our school building but also provide real-life data that pupils use in science and maths lessons.

Pupils play an active role in reducing our energy use by:

  • Conducting energy audits
  • Tracking energy data
  • Suggesting practical improvements

This approach develops problem-solving skills, environmental awareness and a sense of responsibility.

Waste Reduction and Recycling

We are committed to reducing waste and encouraging responsible habits across our school community. Pupils, staff and families are supported to reuse, reduce and recycle as part of everyday school life.

We actively promote:

  • Reusing resources wherever possible
  • Recycling materials across classrooms and shared spaces
  • Reducing single-use items, particularly plastic

Our Pupil Kindness Matters Council plays an important role in this work. Council members help identify areas where waste can be reduced and lead discussions on how we can minimise plastic use across the school.

To support everyone to recycle confidently, we have developed clear, simple waste labels throughout the school. These make it easy for pupils, staff and visitors to dispose of waste correctly and help ensure recycling is done effectively.

Through these actions, pupils develop a strong sense of responsibility, learn the importance of caring for the environment and understand how small actions can make a positive difference.

Nature Conservation Area

Protecting nature is very important to us. Our Nature Conservation Area is a valued part of school life, providing a high-quality outdoor learning environment that supports both academic learning and wellbeing. The area also allows us to have a direct positive impact on our local environment, through improving local biodiversity and creating local nature corridors through the city.

The area is used for:

  • Curriculum learning across subjects
  • Wellbeing and mental health support
  • Outdoor play and reflection

Through caring for this space, pupils develop respect for nature and an understanding of biodiversity.

Active Travel

We encourage the whole school community to travel sustainably wherever possible. Walking, scooting and cycling to school are actively promoted to support health, wellbeing and environmental responsibility.

Each year we also take part in Sustrans Active Schools Programme, supporting safe and active travel choices for pupils and families.

Community Engagement

Sustainability at Adel Primary extends beyond the classroom. We strengthen relationships with the local community through simple, meaningful activities that demonstrate kindness in action.

Our work aims to:

  • Help pupils understand their role as kind, responsible citizens
  • Build positive relationships with local residents and organisations
  • Encourage pride in the local environment
  • Provide opportunities for pupils to make a positive difference

Sustainability in Our Learning

Sustainability is embedded across our curriculum and wider school life. Pupils explore environmental and social responsibility through:

  • Classroom teaching
  • Assemblies
  • High-quality texts and stories
  • Extra-curricular and enrichment activities, including our Eco-Club. 

This whole-school approach ensures sustainability is meaningful, progressive and inclusive, supporting pupils’ knowledge, skills and values as they move through the school.