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Learning today. Caring for tomorrow.At The Aquila School, sustainability connects classroom learning with practical action, pupil leadership and community involvement. From our youngest children discovering the natural world to older pupils leading environmental projects, pupils learn how their choices can make a difference.
Through eco-literacy, our Urban Farm and whole-school initiatives, we encourage pupils to ask questions, care for their environment and take responsibility for creating a more sustainable future.
Growing awareness from the earliest years
Our sustainability journey begins with Eco Bugs in Early Years and Year 1. Through exploring nature, caring for plants and creating habitats, children begin to understand the needs of living things and how to look after the world around them.
These early experiences encourage curiosity, care for the environment and a growing sense of responsibility.
Turning awareness into action
In Primary, Eco Warriors build on this foundation by sharing ideas, encouraging responsible choices and contributing to environmental activities across the school.
Through practical projects and collaboration, pupils develop teamwork, leadership and an understanding of how everyday actions can make a difference.
Understanding the impact of our choices
Eco-literacy forms part of our KS3 literacies programme, helping pupils investigate environmental issues and understand the impact of individual and collective choices.
Sustainability learning continues through relevant subjects, PSHE and Careers Education in KS4 and KS5, with links to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
During 2026–27, Year 7 and Year 8 Mantle of the Expert projects focus on SDG 14: Life Below Water, exploring marine biodiversity and our responsibility to protect ocean environments.
Now in its second year, our Urban Farm brings together pupils from Years 7–13 to develop our rooftop growing spaces. Through seasonal planting and caring for crops, pupils explore where food comes from and what sustainable food production involves.
The project connects learning in science, geography, business and economics with practical experiences. Pupils consider how soil, water, climate and resources affect growing, while developing the patience and teamwork needed to care for a shared space.
As the farm develops, our aims include growing and selling produce to the school community, creating a pupil-led cookbook and sharing sustainable food practices with younger learners.
Pupil voice is central to sustainability at Aquila. Our Secondary Eco-Committee, supported by our Eco Ambassador, works alongside the Primary Eco-Committee and younger learners to turn ideas into action.
With staff guidance, pupils help identify priorities, plan activities, raise awareness and review progress. They contribute to projects involving food, biodiversity, health and wellbeing, encouraging others to take part.
These responsibilities give pupils opportunities to listen, collaborate and follow through on their ideas, developing leadership through service to their school community.
Our Urban Farm also provides a practical setting for pupils to develop enterprise skills. A pupil committee takes responsibility for finance, marketing, operations and sales, supported by staff.
Pupils explore budgeting, organising resources, communicating with their audience and planning how future produce could be shared or sold. They learn to consider environmental responsibility alongside the practical decisions involved in running a project.
This brings together sustainability, financial literacy and careers education, helping pupils recognise how their learning can apply beyond school.
Sustainability creates opportunities for pupils of different ages to learn together.
Previous projects include a Year 3 composting workshop supported by Sixth Form pupil leadership and Year 1 bug hotel activities delivered with older pupils. These experiences introduce younger pupils to food waste, habitats and biodiversity while helping older pupils develop communication and mentoring skills.
Our Urban Farm programme includes further opportunities for pupils to share their learning with Primary and Early Years pupils through practical activities and workshops.
We are working towards the Eco-Schools Green Flag, using the programme to strengthen pupil-led environmental action across Aquila.
Our sustainability audit and action plan help us identify priorities, set goals and review progress. Our current focus areas are food, biodiversity, and health and wellbeing.
Pupils contribute through the Eco-Committee, Urban Farm and curriculum activities, supported by staff and families. Together, we are developing an approach that connects environmental learning with meaningful action across the school.
We want pupils to understand the difference their actions make. As our projects develop, we are building records of participation, compost contributions, planting, harvests and outreach activities.
Photographs, pupil reflections and feedback help us capture learning alongside practical results. Reviewing this evidence will help pupils recognise progress and decide what to improve next.
Our 2026–27 goals include growing at least six edible crop varieties, maintaining planting and harvest records, and delivering a Primary outreach session each half term.
Families play an important role in supporting sustainability at Aquila. They can support environmental learning at home, contribute expertise and participate in school initiatives.
Updates and opportunities to get involved are shared through the Family Portal, newsletters and other school channels.
Ways to get involved:
Sustainability grows through everyday actions: caring for plants, reducing waste, using resources thoughtfully and helping others make informed choices.
At Aquila, we give pupils different ways to contribute through practical work, research, creativity, communication and leadership. By connecting learning with action, we help them develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to care for their community and the wider world.
