Sustainability

Our Biodome and Gardening Club allows pupils to develop practical growing skills whilst learning about plant life, biodiversity and sustainable food production. Children take ownership of planting, growing and caring for a range of plants, helping them to better understand the natural world around them.

Through our Forest School provision, pupils learn within a natural environment, developing resilience, independence and problem-solving skills. Children are encouraged to explore, investigate and develop a deeper appreciation of nature through hands-on experiences.

Pupils play an active role in improving biodiversity across our school grounds through tree planting and the creation of dedicated wildflower areas on our school field. These projects support local wildlife, increase biodiversity and enhance the natural environment for future generations.

Our Cooking Club provides opportunities for pupils to develop practical life skills whilst learning about healthy eating, seasonal produce and the importance of making informed food choices.

Paddox Primary School is proud to be part of the Eco-Schools programme and is working towards achieving accreditation by Summer 2028. Through this initiative, pupils will take an increasingly active role in identifying environmental priorities and leading sustainable change within our school community.

We are also proud participants in the Let’s Go Zero campaign, supporting the national ambition of reducing carbon emissions across the education sector. As a school, we aspire to become a carbon-neutral site by 2030.

Sustainability is reflected in the ongoing development of our school site. Solar panels installed on both the main school building and our Biodome generate renewable energy on-site, helping to reduce our carbon footprint whilst providing meaningful real-world learning opportunities for pupils.

Paddox is an Active Travel School, promoting sustainable and healthy methods of travelling to and from school. A team of pupil-led Active Travel Ambassadors works alongside staff to encourage walking, cycling and other environmentally friendly modes of transport.

Each half term, pupils and families are invited to participate in our Walk to School Breakfast Club. This initiative promotes active lifestyles, supports pupil wellbeing and helps reduce traffic and emissions around the school site.

A significant proportion of our sustainability education is delivered through the Kapow Primary RSE and PSHE curriculum, particularly within the Citizenship strand.

Pupils explore five key themes:

• Appreciation of nature
• Interdependence
• Resources and waste
• Climate change
• Individual and collective responsibility

These themes are revisited throughout a child’s journey from Reception to Year 6, allowing knowledge and understanding to develop progressively over time.

Children begin by learning about caring for their environment, respecting living things and understanding how simple actions can positively impact the world around them.

Pupils learn about:

• Looking after their local environment
• Recycling and reducing waste
• The difference between natural and human-made environments
• How everyday choices can help protect the planet.

As children move through Key Stage Two, they begin to explore increasingly complex environmental issues, including:

• Climate change
• Sustainable use of resources
• Environmental responsibility
• Community action
• Global sustainability challenges

By Year 6, pupils are encouraged to consider the wider impact of human actions and investigate how individual choices can contribute towards a more sustainable future.

In addition to this, pupils benefit from Kapow’s dedicated Sustainability Collection, which provides further opportunities to explore topics such as plastic pollution, waste reduction and environmental action.

Art provides opportunities for pupils to develop an appreciation of the natural world whilst exploring how artists use creativity to communicate environmental messages. Nature frequently inspires pupils’ artwork, supporting both creativity and environmental awareness.

Pupils are encouraged to think critically about how products are designed, made and used. Through a range of projects, children consider sustainability, material choices, food provenance and waste reduction, helping them understand the impact of design decisions on both people and the environment.

Through geography, pupils investigate how people interact with the environment and explore important issues including climate, energy, natural resources and environmental change. Children learn about the challenges facing different communities around the world and consider how sustainable solutions can help protect our planet for future generations.

Scientific enquiry enables pupils to develop a deeper understanding of living things and the environments in which they exist. Through the study of habitats, ecosystems, plants, materials and environmental change, children learn about the interconnected nature of our world and the importance of conservation.