Sustainability

As one of the core objectives in our School Development Plan, Highgate’s sustainability work is overseen by an Executive Committee (with Governor input), and a Consultative Committee that brings together the relevant academic and support staff from all three schools. Highgate’s pupil body plays a vital and inspiring role, with active committees in all three schools.

Our work is split into two core areas of focus: ‘education’ and ‘action. As a school, we have a central role to play in educating our pupils, staff (and families) about the importance of environmental sustainability and to embrace the proposed solutions. We also strive for best practice in our school operations, as set out in our Environmental Sustainability Strategy Plan.

• We recently completed an environmental curriculum review in each of the schools, to audit existing content and enable us to develop an environmental sustainability curriculum for all pupils.
• In DTE, pupils develop and make prototypes/products that solve real world problems. For example: air monitors, bee bricks, Tote bags, converting dining hall yogurt pots into combs, growing bamboo to make bikes, smart recycling bins and more.

• The Pupil Environment Committee runs regular campaigns including Clean Air Week, No-Mow May, Fast Fashion-Free February and Sustainable Christmas tips.
• Environmental Sustainability has been fully integrated into the careers programme. Pupils hear from sector specialists who have championed the importance of green technologies.
• We have extended our growing and propagation capabilities in the greenhouses. We forecast that in 2023, we will produce approximately 12,000 seedlings and cuttings for our site and partner schools.