Waving the green flag at Aurora Severnside School

In October 2023 they set up an Eco Committee and this group of students were instrumental in helping to achieve the award.

They got involved in an environmental review with Tom Willetts, Outdoor Learning Lead, looking at current practices and how to make improvements.  They looked at how to make the outdoor learning areas better for learners as well as the local wildlife.  Students developed a pond site, built bird and bat boxes and planted a number of trees.

The Green Flag assessor said: “Year 8 have immersed themselves in biodiversity. In the D&T lesson they made bird boxes and in the science lesson, they went pond dipping and witnessed firsthand the life cycle of the frog. The froglets have been released back into the pond making the students appreciate the biodiversity on their doorstep. Your examples of environmental education are fantastic.”

“The poster campaign has highlighted how the whole school community can help support the environment in a positive way. The team loved the creative control the students had on the Eco-Board, featuring their work and ideas."

“The work the students have participated in at Westonbirt Arboretum has involved them in the community and at the same time taught them skills that were useful to the school such as fencing, weaving, and plant printing. The creation of the outdoor classroom has stood out this year. Now the students have an outdoor area providing a unique learning experience. Connecting with nature and engaging in hands-on activities can help young people develop an appreciation for the natural world.”

“The young people invited the SLT to the school, pitching their ideas and plans to get funding released. The new polytunnel looks impressive and will continue to support your biodiversity topic and perhaps healthy living if you start to grow your own fruit and vegetables. The pupils have created a variety of Eco-Codes inspired by the trip to the arboretum, all with important messages and beautifully designed. Throughout your application, you have consistently demonstrated a whole-school commitment to youth-led environmental action. As a result, we are delighted to recognise your brilliant work with an Eco-Schools’ Green Flag."
 

Growing veg

Gayle Branney, Deputy Head at Aurora Severnside said: “We’re at the beginning of our journey and looking forward to continuing the great work started this academic year.

“We plan to continue to raise the profile of the environment in school and in the local community and are aiming to complete the next stage (Merit) by the end of the next academic year.

“I’m very pleased with the work the committee has completed and we wouldn’t have been able to do all this without the support of Tom Willetts our Outdoor Learning teacher.”

Eco-Schools England Manager, Adam Flint, said: "The Eco-Schools Green Flag is an international benchmark that demonstrates a commitment to fighting climate change and high standard of sustainable practice. Students and staff who earn this award deserve recognition for their dedication toward protecting our planet. Every day, they demonstrate that each of us can contribute to making our planet a better, more sustainable place."

Rated 'Good' by Ofsted, Aurora Severnside School in Berkeley is a specialist independent day school, offering academic and therapeutic provision for students aged 11 to 16 with Autism Spectrum Condition, Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs and additional learning needs.