Greener Henley supporting schools to tackle climate change

Greener Henley’s Schools Action Network is steering schools towards sustainability in collaboration with Let’s Go Zero.

Let’s Go Zero provides free resources to help schools to create plans to become zero carbon by 2030.

Green roof with solar panels at The Heights School (Image: Greener Henley)

This collaboration has seen teachers from nine schools, including Gillotts School in Henley and Henley College, participating in an online presentation led by Catherine Odell, a climate advisor at Let’s Go Zero.

Ms Odell detailed the company's plans, which include meeting the Department of Education’s 2025 mandate for all schools to have a Climate Action Plan and designated sustainability lead.

She said: "It was fantastic to meet and hear from teachers and headteachers about the brilliant things that local schools are already doing in their area to drive down their carbon emissions and embrace new initiatives that put sustainability at the centre of school life.

"Schools are at the heart of our communities and can lead the way in the shift to a greener world."

The Heights Primary School in Caversham launched FRIDEDAYS, a parent-led biking initiative, promoting active travel and reducing carbon emissions.

The Heights Primary School's bike initiative (Image: Greener Henley)

The school's head, Karen Edwards, said: "It was a really interesting and helpful meeting and wonderful to hear about things that other schools are doing.

"I have some very clear next steps to take now as a result of it."