Environment | Bedales School

Environment

We are constantly striving to make the world around us more beautiful in every way. We will model a system-wide approach to active environmental responsibility. All members of our community will be involved in how we live, how our food is produced and how we ensure the environment is protected.

We will engage students in how we generate more of our own energy and how we manage the school estate in a sustainable way. A ‘reduce, re-use, recycle’ philosophy will be supported by more sustainable procurement. We will select suppliers and goods based on their sustainability credentials and carbon reporting, while using local suppliers wherever possible to reduce transport and support local businesses.

"I love how much space we have to roam around… Bedales has been built in accordance with the natural world."

Bedales student

GOAL

Journey to net zero by 2045

Through improving the sustainability of our buildings and use of utilities, our programme of annual improvements will increase the efficiencies of our facilities, including moving to greener heating and LED lighting. We will expand the programme of solar panel installation and explore other generation and storage options including wind power. With water, we will both reduce consumption and leaks, and install a water bore hole and additional water capture systems. We will introduce a fully tracked waste management system to reduce food waste and produce compost.

Alongside these improvements and efficiencies, we will encourage staff and student ownership of buildings while adopting a smarter use of heating and lighting.

We are introducing a more sustainable policy for school trips with carbon budgeting, and a reduction in long-haul air travel.

A move to battery-powered vehicles and facilities equipment will include a rolling programme for the replacement of diesel-powered school vehicles with electric ones. We will also install car charging points, and all members of our community will be encouraged to explore more sustainable travel options including walking, cycling and rail.

GOAL

Living sustainably

Developing the sustainability co-curriculum with a focus on growing more of our own food will support the introduction of a seasonal menu that reflects local and UK produce. In parallel, we will lower the number of food deliveries to reduce food miles, noise and traffic.

Students will become fully involved with food waste reduction and composting which will help to support more plant and shrub production in Outdoor Work and the expansion of our market garden.

With more ownership of areas of the school, and using their ‘Bedales Service’ time, students will assist with upkeep – we will supplement this with the promotion of more information about our environment and its biodiversity.

Technology-free days and regular talks from people working in sustainability will provide increased opportunities for students to learn about and experience sustainable living.

We will streamline internal administrative processes, moving to more electronic systems where possible and appropriate, which will reduce the need to print and mail out documents. For the benefit of the wider community, we will promote sustainability with workshops on the environment and sustainable living.

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