Pupils from eight schools across Bracknell Forest took part in the borough’s annual climate conference, held at Bracknell and Wokingham College on Tuesday 11 November.
Students from Brakenhale School, Edgbarrow School, Garth Hill College, Kennel Lane School, King’s Academy Binfield, King’s Academy Easthampstead Park, Sandhurst School and St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School attended the one-day event, organised by Bracknell Forest Council and delivered by Sustainability and Environmental Education (SEEd).
Now in its third year, the conference aims to help young people understand the effects of climate change and develop ideas they can implement in their own schools.
Pupils took part in round-table discussions on a range of environmental topics and heard presentations on the council’s climate strategy. They also learned about the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Changemaker programme, with video contributions from young people involved in environmental projects in their communities.
Throughout the day, students met representatives from local organisations including the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust, Eco Rewards, Solar for Schools, Activate Learning’s sustainability team and Bracknell Forest Community Climate Action.
Before lunch, pupils selected issues such as water waste and deforestation to focus on, returning in mixed-school groups to share ideas and present their proposals to the wider conference. Each school finished the day by outlining the actions they planned to take to reduce their environmental impact.
Akshitha, a Year 8 pupil from Edgbarrow School, said she valued the chance to work with others: “I enjoyed talking to people from different schools and hearing what sustainable things their school does. We enjoyed contributing to sustainability, which is so important.”
Allyce Greenshields, geography teacher at King’s Academy Easthampstead Park, said the conference helped pupils recognise their influence: “The hope is they come back with renewed enthusiasm for how they can contribute as eco-warriors and ensure our school becomes more sustainable.”
SEEd chief executive Ann Finlayson described the students’ engagement as “outstanding”, praising their willingness to ask questions and get involved.
Cllr Mary Temperton, leader of Bracknell Forest Council, said: “Seeing the levels of interest and enthusiasm from all the young people present was truly inspiring.”
Bracknell Forest Council offers further guidance on its climate webpage and through its Climate Change Team.
