STUDENTS from schools across the borough were invited to explore sustainability at Bracknell Forest Council’s Climate Conference.
The one-day conference, which took place on Tuesday, November 11, was hosted by Bracknell and Wokingham College.
School pupils attended from Brakenhale, Edgbarrow, Sandhurst, and Kennel Lane Schools, along with youngsters from St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School.
Also present were students from Garth Hill College, King’s Academy Binfield, and King’s Academy Easthampstead Park.
The conference aims to help young people understand the impacts of climate change, and to generate ideas and motivation to improve their schools’ climate impact.
This was the third annual Bracknell Forest secondary schools’ climate change conference.
“The event has helped the children to consider what their impact is, what influence they have, and how important they are in ensuring that not only Bracknell Forest, but the world as a whole, can impact and influence change,” said Allyce Greenshields, geography teacher and international lead at King’s Academy Easthampstead Park.
“It will help them to be more environmentally minded, and the hope is that they return to school with renewed enthusiasm for their roles as eco warriors.”
Pupils discussed topics ranging from the environment to the importance of young people’s voices.
They watched presentations about Bracknell Forest Council’s climate change strategies, and learnt about the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).
They also encountered the Changemaker programme, watching videos from young changemakers and people making a difference for the environment in their communities.
“The event has been fabulous,” said Ann Finlayson, CEO of Sustainability and Environmental Education (SEEd).
“It’s always great working with young people; their enthusiasm about the environment, their wanting to get involved and do something, and their willingness to participate today have been outstanding.
“The students have been able to ask lots of questions of other schools, of adults and of some great community collaborators.”
Throughout the day pupils spoke with representatives from Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust, Bracknell Forest Council Climate Change Team, Eco Rewards, Solar for Schools, Sustainability by Activate Learning and Bracknell Forest Community Climate Action.
“I enjoyed being part of such an important event,” said Akshitha, a year 8 student from Edgebarrow School.
“Sustainability should be something that everyone does, and everyone should be aware of.
“I enjoyed talking to people from other schools and I like to hear what sustainable things they are doing that I can bring back to our school.”
Students had the opportunity to generate ideas to improve their school’s climate impact, and at the end of the day they shared their plans with each other.
“It was an immense pleasure to support the Bracknell Forest Secondary Schools’ Climate Change Conference,” said Councillor Mary Temperton, Leader of Bracknell Forest Council.
“Seeing the levels of interest and enthusiasm from all the young people present for looking after our planet was truly inspiring.
“Thank you to Activate Learning for hosting us and enabling the event to pass so successfully.”
The event was organised by Bracknell Forest Council and delivered by SEEd.
For more information on Bracknell Forest Council’s Climate Change policies, visit: bracknell-forest.gov.uk, or email: climate.change@bracknell-forest.gov.uk.
