Sustainable Schools

To read about Swindon Academy's sustainable development in the SecEd magazine please click here

Schools play a major role in preparing young people to live sustainable lives. At Swindon Academy we are committed to grasping the opportunity to make sustainable development a guiding ethos throughout the school, and local community. The well–being of the children both now and in the future comes first, and therefore we need to ensure that they acquire the skills required to think critically, and to recognize the long term effects of their actions.

a)         Food and Drink: We have achieved Healthy Schools status and are in the process of applying for the Food for Life Partnership Mark. We have water fountains located throughout the schools for use by our students, a healthy eating policy, and we promote healthy choices in the restaurant.  Food is prepared freshly on site with a salad bar option in addition to healthy hot meals.  Parents are invited in to sample the meals we offer our students.  The curriculum covers many aspects of healthy living through PSHE, PE and Science. 

b)         Buildings and Grounds: We are now in a new building with our other site having had significant building work completed as well. The new building at Beech Avenue has been designed with an ‘Eden Project’ roof, self-closing doors and eco-friendly window design to minimise energy loss. Our grounds are currently incomplete; however there are already a number of trees and flower beds in place. There are also plans to include a wildlife area which will incorporate a pond, and a garden area. At the Alton Close site a “Thinking Path” has been established with saplings planted for work with Young Experimental Scientists.   There are also bird tables, a bird box with cameras, insect conservation housing, with planters and greenhouses on order for use around the grounds 

c)         Energy and Water: An audit has been carried out on energy use throughout the school as part of our work towards Ecoschools status. Our Alton Close site has already achieved the bronze flag, and we are working towards bronze and silver flag across both sites.  We are in a new building and the display energy certificate indicates we are in band B (efficient) and have a biomass generator. We have also been accepted to be a flagship school for British Gas in reducing energy costs through the involvement of all students and staff and support from British Gas. Energy use is also covered in the curriculum in DAIT and Science.  Science days have also taken place for whole year groups based around wind turbines and sustainable energy.  As a new build we have a number of water conservation measures in place such as low flush toilets and automatic switch off taps. We are also awaiting water butts in order to begin the collection of rainwater.  The efficient use of water is covered in Science and Humanities. 

d)         Purchasing and Waste: There are paper recycling/other waste bins in each classroom and most printer cartridges are recycled.  As part of our work towards Ecoschools we will be implementing a number of recycling schemes and investigating sourcing items from the local area.  

e)         Travel and Traffic: A steering group has been established and a travel plan completed and accepted. We have also registered for the “Cycle to Work Challenge” in Swindon – whereby we can judge how staff compare in sustainable travel to other workplaces in Swindon- this can then be shared with the students. 

f)          Inclusion and Participation: We have a number of opportunities for students to become involved in a variety of diverse activities, such as: ecowarriors, school council, specialism captains, STEM club, PE clubs, art club and hobby club.  Assemblies cover a wide range of topics which cover events such as the holocaust and refugees, raising student’s awareness of the need to challenge injustice.  Discussions take place regularly in a number of subject areas (Science, Citizenship, RE) regarding moral and ethical issues.  Recently a full campaign has also taken place for head boy/girl involving every student in the academy in a democratic process.  We will also be working towards the Rights Respecting Schools Award.  

g)         Local Well Being: The academy is dedicated towards improving links with the local community.  A number of initiatives have taken place to encourage and support the local community such as:Bingo nights, OAP lunches, Honda School of Dreams, job skills workshops, GCSE studies on offer to Teaching Assistant’s and coffee mornings. 

h)         Global Dimension: The academy has achieved a significant amount in integrating global dimension and has been awarded an intermediate level in International Schools Award.  Global dimensions are covered across the curriculum in Geography, Science (Science across the World) Citizenship, cultural work in Art and Music.  Extra-curricular activities include trips to Iceland and Paris, fundraising for Haiti and Bollywood dancing.  Projects have also been undertaken which include the EME project, links to overseas schools, and global entrepreneurship week which encourages students to work in groups to solve environmental problems.

If you would like to read Swindon Academy's Sustainable Development Policy please click here