St Edward’s Eco Festival 2025

Tuesday 25th February 2025

A celebration of learning, action and hope for our planet

Climate change is the defining challenge of this generation. The children of today will be the ones who inherit the consequences of human actions; but they will also be the ones with the power to create solutions. At St Edward’s Prep School and Nursery, we believe that education must do more than inform; it must inspire, empower and equip young people to take action.

This term’s theme, ‘Our Planet’, has taken pupils on a journey through the wonders of nature, the realities of climate change and, most importantly, the hope and solutions that exist. Our Eco Festival on Friday 14 February was a culmination of this learning, where pupils not only showcased their knowledge but also applied it in meaningful, real-world ways.

Raising Awareness and Making Learning Relevant

The tone for the day was one of action, awareness and purpose; set from the start when pupils and parents gathered for a moving assembly. Our Head Boy highlighted the power of individuals in making a difference to climate change, the Drama Club gave a captivating shadow puppet performance portraying the devastating impact of pollution on our oceans, and music carried the message forward as Year 1 and 2 performed songs about climate change. It all served as a valuable reminder that small voices really can make a big impact.

Beyond the performances, the festival was an opportunity for pupils to share their learning with a real audience, reinforcing the idea that knowledge is most powerful when it has a purpose. Throughout the morning, pupils paired up across year groups to teach and learn from one another, presenting their findings on sustainability topics and discussing the key issues they had explored. This exchange gave pupils a genuine sense of responsibility – not just to learn, but to inform and inspire others.

The afternoon was where our community really came together, with parents joining us for an afternoon packed with activities, games and more aimed at encouraging everyone to make a difference (and having lots of fun in the process!). Every class came up with and ran their own areas:

  • Reception – nature scavenger hunt – learning about our environment
  • Year 1 – eco fashion show and presentations
  • Year 2 – planting station (to create a living wall in the playground)
  • Year 3 – a pledge wall, for everyone to add their fantastic ideas
  • Year 4 – eco crafts – creative ways to repurpose our recycling
  • Year 5 – recycling relay races, teaching children how to sort their rubbish

Year 6 really demonstrated the value of the skills they have learnt in their time at St Edward’s with the culmination of their annual Enterprise Project. Working in teams, they took on the challenge of launching sustainable businesses with all the profits going to their chosen charities. Their energy and commitment shone on the day as they worked hard to sell an amazing selection of eco products to parents and fellow pupils.

A huge thank you must go to our staff for organising, and also to our parents who volunteered to share their expertise on topics such as reducing our carbon footprint and veganism, as well as running a successful second-hand toy sale.

A Festival That Lives Beyond the Day

As the festival drew to a close, the focus shifted to what happens next. Every pupil left with a half-term challenge from Mrs Willis, encouraging them to continue their efforts at home. From meat-free meals and power-free evenings to local litter picks, they were given practical ways to extend their learning beyond the classroom.

At St Edward’s, sustainability is not just a theme, it is a long-term commitment. As a school, we continue to review and improve our environmental impact, from sourcing sustainable food to exploring renewable energy solutions.

The Power of Education and Action

The Eco Festival was more than just a celebration – it was a demonstration of what education should be. It was a day where learning became action; where pupils didn’t just study problems, but explored solutions.

By engaging with real-world issues, working with real audiences and taking meaningful action, pupils not only deepened their understanding, but developed the skills and confidence to be changemakers.

At St Edward’s, we believe that every child has the potential to shape the future. After this festival, we are more certain than ever that they will.