Westminster Pupils Take the Lead on Sustainability Through Zero Carbon Schools Programme
Morgan Sindall Property Services (MSPS) and Green Schools Project are celebrating a successful year of the Zero Carbon Schools programme at St Mary Magdalene and St Stephens CE Primary School, Paddington. The programme has helped students develop the skills and confidence to act on climate change, while supporting the school to reduce its carbon footprint through student-led sustainability projects.
Year five students took part in the programme, with activities and assemblies reaching all 180 pupils across the school. The programme combined classroom learning, teacher support, carbon footprint analysis and a Green Jobs Workshop delivered by Green Schools Project and the MSPS Social Value team.
Students explored ways to reduce their school’s long term environmental impact, promoting active travel, organising book and toy swap events, encouraging sustainable food choices and leading energy-saving campaigns. As a result, sustainability has become increasingly embedded in everyday school life.
A highlight of the year was a Green Jobs Workshop delivered by the MSPS Social Value team giving students an insight into sustainability-focused careers and showing how environmental responsibility is integrated into the construction and property sectors.
The programme has had a considerable impact, with 74% of participating students reporting an increased understanding of climate change after completing the programme.
Polly Evans, Social Value Officer, Morgan Sindall Property Services commented: “Creating opportunities like this is a key part of how we deliver social value in the communities where we work. It was fantastic to see the pupils so engaged, asking thoughtful questions and making connections between climate action, sustainable homes, and future careers.
By helping young people understand the role they can play in building a greener future, we’re not only raising awareness but also inspiring the next generation of changemakers.”
Zenobia Talati, Head of Impact, Green Schools Project said: “It was brilliant to have Polly and Arjun from Morgan Sindall Property Services co-deliver the Green Jobs workshop at St Mary Magdalene and St Stephen’s Primary with me.
It’s essential that pupils understand what Green Jobs are and having partners attend means pupils hear real-life examples of sustainability in action. After learning about retrofitting homes from Morgan Sindall, pupils directly applied this knowledge by trying out being green architects and designing their own sustainable houses.”
Year 5 Student at St Mary Magdalene and St Stephens CE Primary said: “The programme has made me think more about climate change now and how I can help reverse it at home and wherever I go.”
St Mary Magdalene and St Stephens CE Primary have committed to running the programme for a third consecutive year with its next year five cohort
ENDS
Find out more about the Green Schools Project here: https://www.greenschoolsproject.org.uk/
For more information, please email Communications@morgansindall.com
