Our Commitment to Sustainability and Climate Action

At Fiddlers Lane Primary School, we are committed to playing our part in tackling climate change while creating a healthier, more sustainable future for our pupils and community. Our Climate Action and Sustainability Plan sets out practical steps to reduce our environmental impact, protect natural resources and embed sustainability into everyday school life. This plan is supported by the Let’s Go Zero programme and aligns with the Department for Education’s Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy. 

A key first step in our journey is understanding our current impact. We are working towards calculating our school’s carbon footprint using the nationally recognised Count Your Carbon tool, which will allow us to track progress year on year and set clear targets for reducing emissions. We already have important measures in place, including solar panels, smart energy management systems, motion‑sensor lighting and thermostatic radiator valves to improve energy efficiency across the school. 

Our Climate Action Plan covers goals within the four pillars.

The Four Pillars Explained

• Climate Education & Green Careers

  • Embedding sustainability into the curriculum.

  • Preparing students with the skills and knowledge needed for a world impacted by climate change.

  • Encouraging pathways into green jobs and careers that support a sustainable future.

• Biodiversity

  • Protecting and enhancing natural habitats within and beyond school grounds.

  • Promoting awareness of ecosystems and the importance of biodiversity for resilience.

  • Supporting initiatives like tree planting, wildlife corridors, and pollinator-friendly spaces.

• Adaptation & Resilience

  • Ensuring schools and communities can withstand climate impacts such as extreme weather.

  • Building resilience through infrastructure improvements, emergency planning, and sustainable resource use.

  • Encouraging practices that make institutions more robust against future climate challenges.

• Decarbonisation

  • Reducing carbon emissions across energy, transport, and operations.

  • Transitioning to renewable energy sources and improving energy efficiency.

  • Promoting low-carbon travel, waste reduction, and sustainable procurement.

Reducing Our Impact and Protecting the Environment

Our plan takes a whole‑school approach, focusing on energy use, waste reduction, food choices, transport and purchasing. We plan to promote responsible behaviour through pupil‑led initiatives such as Eco Warriors, switch‑off campaigns, recycling education and active travel schemes that encourage walking and cycling to school. We are also committed to reducing waste, increasing recycling, reusing resources wherever possible and meeting new government recycling requirements.

Sustainability is embedded into our curriculum through science, PSHE and assemblies so that pupils understand climate change, biodiversity and the importance of caring for the planet. We are developing outdoor learning spaces, a gardening and nature club, and wildlife‑friendly areas to increase biodiversity and support pupils’ wellbeing. These actions also help pupils develop skills and values needed for a greener future.

Working in Line with Government Guidance

Our Climate Action Plan directly reflects national guidance for schools, including expectations around energy efficiency, waste reduction, climate education and preparing for extreme weather such as heatwaves. We are developing policies and procedures to adapt to a changing climate, including water conservation measures and heat safety guidance, to ensure our school remains safe, resilient and future‑ready.

By working together with pupils, staff, families and the wider community, Fiddlers Lane Primary School aims to reduce its carbon footprint, inspire positive change and contribute to a more sustainable world. We will continue to review our progress and share updates as part of our ongoing commitment to climate action.