At Tolleshunt D’Arcy, we believe that caring for God’s creation is central to who we are. Sustainability is part of our Christian ethos and a vital responsibility to future generations. We aim to help every child understand their role as a steward of the planet, encouraging them to act with courage, compassion and a strong sense of justice. Our work in climate action helps pupils develop respect for the natural world, alongside the knowledge and confidence to protect it.
Our Climate Action Plan sets out the practical steps we are taking to reduce our environmental impact, increase biodiversity and embed sustainable thinking throughout school life. It reflects the voices of pupils, staff and our community, and it is reviewed regularly so that our progress continues to grow year by year. The plan guides actions such as reducing waste, improving energy efficiency, encouraging sustainable travel and expanding outdoor learning opportunities.
Please see below a full copy of our Climate Action Plan.
We are proud members of Let’s Go Zero, the national campaign bringing together schools committed to working towards becoming carbon zero. Through this partnership, we receive expert support, opportunities to collaborate with other schools and a clear framework to help us measure and strengthen our progress.
Tolleshunt D’Arcy is also part of the National Education Nature Park, a national initiative that helps schools map, protect and enhance biodiversity on their grounds. This work enables pupils to:
Take part in citizen-science activities
Monitor changes in nature over time
Develop confidence in outdoor learning
Understand how their actions can directly improve habitats
Being part of the Nature Park strengthens our whole-school approach to environmental education and deepens our pupils’ connection with the natural world.
Our pupil Climate Ambassadors play an important role in leading sustainability within the school. These pupils show a passion for protecting the planet and help drive environmental
action by:
Raising awareness among their peers
Supporting recycling and energy-saving initiatives
Helping plan and deliver eco-projects
Representing pupil voice in discussions about sustainability
Their contributions help ensure that positive environmental action happens every day, not just during special events.
Sustainability is embedded throughout our curriculum. Pupils learn about climate change, conservation, ecosystems and environmental justice in age-appropriate and meaningful ways, from exploring wildlife during Forest School sessions to examining global issues in geography and science. We aim to help children recognise that small changes - such as reducing waste, protecting local habitats or saving energy - can have a significant impact when a community works together.
At Tolleshunt D’Arcy, we believe every member of our school community has a role to play in caring for our environment. Through partnerships with national organisations, strong pupil leadership and a whole-school commitment to positive action, we strive to protect the world entrusted to us. Each small step we take brings us closer to a greener, healthier and more hopeful future.