OVERVIEW
Our Vision
“Opening our pupils’ eyes to the beauty of the natural world and their role in preserving it with open minds makes them both interested and interesting, with an instinctive curiosity to asking the more profound questions of what they can do to help”.
Mr Will Phelan - Head
Clifton High School’s vision is rooted in embedding environmental sustainability into our core values of curiosity, empathy, love and direction; elements that shape young minds to embrace their roles in the present and future world. We aim to empower our pupils to care deeply, think critically and work collectively as upholding these responsibilities cultivates eco-conscious, compassionate and innovate leaders. We also encourage our wider community members to consider supporting the quest of a healthier planet to benefit the future of our pupils.
Driving environmental change is crucial in guiding Clifton High School pupils to become focused on sustainability, helping them advocate a sense of direction for others to also become accountable and responsible in their personal endeavours.
Our Objectives
Clifton High School’s commitment to sustainability and eco programmes is instinctively driven by our approach to the future. We adapt to change, remain empathetic and prepare pupils for a world; one beyond our School gates.
We are acutely aware, more than ever before, that children need to learn to care and protect our planet to meet our environmental, ethical and social responsibilities. This forms the basis of our Sustainability Programme’s main objective which is to build a greener School for future generations by:
• Improving the sustainability standards of our estate
• Using sustainable and environmentally friendly products and resources
• Reviewing current School systems to integrate sustainable practices and implement eco-friendly solutions
• Reducing our carbon footprint across our School campus by re-evaluating our current carbon and energy management
Our Accreditations
The awards Clifton High School have achieved acknowledge the focus we have in staying relevant to the future.
• Three Years of Eco-School Green Flag Award - Distinction 2023
The Eco-Schools programme provides a simple, seven-step framework that empowers young people to make a difference in their school, local community and beyond. The process tells them that they are forwardthinking in promoting youth-led environmental education and action.
An Eco-Schools Green Flag accreditation asks schools to connect their eco activities to three or more of the ten Eco-Schools topics that break large, global issues such as climate change into more manageable and directed themes. After working through the seven steps during the academic year, schools, colleges and nurseries can then apply for the award within the annual application window (from 1st May to 31st July).
This process is the perfect way to acknowledge, reward and celebrate the ecological achievements of young people, clearly demonstrating that their hard work is appreciated. It provides them with the confidence and motivation needed to continue actively engaging with environmental issues throughout their lifetimes.
• Modeshift Good Travel Plan Accreditation
Modeshift STARS aims to secure increased levels of safe, active and sustainable travel in business, education and community settings. The enterprise represents their members' needs and support sustainable travel practitioners through a range of new and existing services.
Modeshift STARS strives towards a world in which communities are free to make healthy and sustainable travel choices where active travel is seen as the norm.
INITIATIVES &
PROJECTS
Our Carbon Footprint
An awareness of travelling actively is integral to Clifton High School’s overriding sustainability concept and one that sees a positive and continued percentage increase in community member's engagement.
Active travel links easily with the School’s efforts to introduce:
• Car sharing
• Cycle-to-work schemes
• Bicycle maintenance
• Scooter/bike training and storage provisions
• Park and Stride
These community-led initiatives are facilitated by annual surveys with both families and staff, tyingin with reducing our communities' carbon footprint, carbon emmissions, air quality efforts and the promotion of sponsored awareness walks.
Active Travel Map
We are currently developing an interactive travel map for our School website, featuring videos of our staff and pupils travelling to School in an active way. Look out for updates here.
Our Environment
Biodiversity is a long-term vision at Clifton High School and one that develops and maintains our inhouse efforts. Children engage in planting and replanting schemes, building new habitats that include bird feeders, planters, wormery, ant farms and stick insect enclosures.
The longstanding, on-site beehives are an exciting and unique installation that produces our own Clifton High School honey, maintained by in-house staff members who are passionate and enthusiastic about the part they play in our children’s learning.
Pupils learn about the role bees play, as pollinators, in every aspect of the ecosystem as they support the growth of trees, flowers, and other plants, which serve as food and shelter for creatures large and small. Bees contribute to complex interconnected eco-systems that allow a diverse number of different species to co-exist.
Recycling is an on-going project that does not go unseen in the sustainability vision of our School environment. It may be litter-picking, utilising recycling bins or an overall understanding of food waste that, in turn, helps our Food and Catering Team identify how they can offer quality, locally sourced food with a sustainable approach to supply and demand.
We see our Christmas Jumper Swap Shop and old School uniform collections as opportunities to reuse, reduce and recycle!
The School has set targets to encourage a ‘think before you print’ mentality and reduce overconsumption of printed materials and print waste.
Our Curriculum
Clifton High School's bespoke curriculum incorporates a focus on environmental education. We aim to help shape the next generation of global leaders and citizens, realising the urgency of climate conservation to respond towards a more sustainable future. Our teaching community believe that at the core of any learning experience is curiosity. Their lessons explore and raise awareness for concerns that surround eco-systems, climate change and environmental challenges. Children are encouraged to develop an innate desire to understand the natural world and ignite a passion in the environment.
This empathetic environmental learning within the classroom helps pupils connect with global issues and gain an insight into the vulnerability of communities worldwide. Topics include the effects of deforestation, wildlife conservation, the protection of indigenous populations and the preservation of marine life. On a local level, initiatives are often practical and include tree planting, beach cleanups, recycling drives and community-based projects - all of which develop connections with a sense of care and commitment to living sustainably.
Incorporating nature into our curriculum learning is interactive, whether it be through on-site outdoor classroom experiences, children having a hands-on involvement in cultivating honey from our beehives or their participation in rewilding and gardening learning.
Clifton High School are proactive in utilising their Co-Curricular Programme to include an extensive adventure schedule that incorporates external trips to Belmont Estate or further afield, which encourages pupils to observe, explore and question their learning. It is a thoughtfully curated avenue that extends an awareness to children as they observe, explore and question their learning.
All sustainability studies, whether they be in or out of the classroom, address real-world environmental challenges as issues are brought to the surface to engage children in the consideration of creative and critical solutions. The research, investigation and analysis required in any one of these activities gives pupils the ability to unite as a community whilst also considering the consequences of their own actions and how they can either collectively or individually, make a difference.
This develops a genuine love, rather than an obligation, for nature and a powerful motivator for change. All pupils, from our early years through to the Sixth Form are encouraged to cherish the environment, consider their carbon footprint and advocate for the protection of the planet.
Our Eco Committee
“The environment and sustainability are so important to Clifton High School and its community. They bring pupils of all ages together to think about and act against issues that affect us all, spreading awareness to the surrounding communities in the process”.
Louis, Clifton Rosarian and former Environmental Prefect
Our pupil-led Eco Committee takes a pro-active approach in shaping the School’s priorities and focus around sustainability. A dedicated Year 13 Prefect leads the committee with the support of Mrs Laura Giles, Head of Geography and Mrs Amy Schmid, Teacher of Geography. Meeting with all Eco Committee members and Mr Will Phelan, Head, at the start of the academic year the Prefect presents and collaboratively agrees Clifton High School’s future eco-aims as well as establishing the overarching annual objectives.
Under the Eco Committee’s leadership, all pupils learn to set individual goals that are both achievable and motivating, igniting their passion for environmental protection and advocacy of sustainability in their own lives.
They organise a series of campaigns aligned with the School’s vision to become a more environmentally friendly and sustainability-conscious School with short to long term goals:
Short Term: Continue to encourage pupils to travel to School actively
Medium Term: Work towards three topics chosen by our whole pupil body. This year, the chosen topics are marine, biodiversity and School grounds
Long Term: Become a Fairtrade School and achieve our fifth Eco-School Green Flag Award
Our Projects
Throughout the last three academic years, our projects have been opportunities for pupils to learn through participation. These include:
Road Closure Event in collaboration with Modeshift
Hands-Up Surveys
Cycle Rack Installation
Scooter Parking
Be Bright, Be Seen Initiatives
Air Quality Monitors
Dr. Bike Maintenance & Servicing
Bling Your Bike to School Day
Bikeability
Scooter Training
Young Persons Travel Card Promotion
Improving the Safe Crossing on College Road
Walking Initiatives
School Partnerships
Stakeholder Forums
Catering Provision - Shop Local
Bright Green Day
Waste Management
Electric Meter Introduction for individual
School buildings
Modernising our School heating system
Recycling Bins
Bee Hives and Honey
Our Events & Activities
In addition to the day-to-day ecoaware behaviours our community embody, we also support sustainable initiatives and have developed our own events to allow us all to focus on building a greener future both in and out of School.
In 2019 we established our inaugural Bright Green Day, an annual whole School day that focuses on eco matters. Special events, challenges and activities take place both in and out the classroom, embedding a sustainability perspective into the curriculum and School life. Other national and global level events we recognise and support include:
Earth Day
Big Garden Birdwatch
Bristol Northwest Foodbank
Avon Needs Trees
Bristol Education Partnership Climate Challenge
Christmas Jumper Swap Shop
THE FUTURE
We have big plans for the next Academic year! As we look back at the foundations we have already implemented, we are establishing ambitious goals for the future that build upon our commitment to environmental stewardship, social responsibility and economic viability. Our plan includes strategic and operational initiatives designed to increase our sustainability awareness, reduce our carbon footprint, enhance resource efficiency all whilst fostering community engagement.
Energy Management
Last year the boiler in the sports complex was changed to a hybrid system that can be managed remotely. This is much more efficient, and we can now manage the temperature of the heating and the swimming pool water much more proactively. We hope to save energy throughout the year due to introducing this system and will report on usage every half term.
This program moves to Phase 2 in Summer 2025 when we begin an upgrade to the School-wide heating system. These upgrades will include introducing a ‘building management system’ that allows us to manage the heating on a building -by-building basis. The program extends over multiple years but will slowly bring rewards in terms of reduced heating bills and a reduction in our carbon footprint. Usage data will be used to demonstrate savings made.
Individual electricity meters were installed this year enabling us to report on usage for each building. We are analysing the peaks and troughs to see where savings can be made. Watch out for a pupil-led competition that show the savings made!
We have already made great strides introducing LED lights across the School estate. By the end of April 2025 we will announce the number we will be upgrading throughout 2025/2026.
Eco-Conscious Knowledge Base
Many of our trips, clubs and subject topics are being reviewed to ensure sustainability is weaved throughout our pupil's day at Clifton High School. A comprehensive review of what is on offer will be done to make sure sessions capture the hearts and minds of pupils, encouraging everyone to become knowledgeable and passionate about the natural world.
Active Travel
Our Active Travel Ambassadors continue to encourage active travel and in March 2025 were successful in applying for a grant that they elected to put towards a new bicycle shed. This will be located in the Junior School playground to encourage our younger pupils to travel actively from the beginning of their time at Clifton High School.
Bio-Diversity
Our bees continue to thrive and this year we have two new bee-keepers who are busy looking after them. Bees are essential for maintaining healthy eco-systems and we are looking forward to collecting the honey from the hives to sell at the Christmas Fair.
Gardening Club has also started and our Junior School pupils are excitedly planting vegetables in the classrooms. They also have some outdoor raised flower beds in the main communal area and we look forward to sharing some of their successes with the rest of the School as plants grow.
Our well loved ‘Bright Green Day’ has morphed into Bright Green Week this year and we have an exciting itinerary planned that includes guest speakers, a treasure hunt focusing on interesting facts about the ocean, a recycling project, craft making and the journey of plastics from the land to the ocean. The objectives of the week are very much pupil-led and it is great to see so much passion in these areas of learning.
Networking
By actively participating in local and national networks, we will share our ideas whilst listening and learning from other schools' experiences. Attendance at the Society of Heads Sustainability Network meetings maintains contact with other schools and keeps us up-to-date with the Department of Educations' communications. Our named lead for sustainability attends these meetings and cascades findings through staff bulletins and newsletters.
We also link to local networks such as the Future Leap Network. This is a local Bristol organisation who run free workshops across businesses to discuss initiatives and challenges.
Our stakeholder meetings will continue to involve key members of our community, ensuring everyone has a say in actively contributing to our objectives.
In Summary
We are striving to create a positive impact in all we do that aligns with local and global sustainability standards, generates excitement and curiosity across our pupils and community, and supports sustainable practices across all operations of the School. By fostering a sense of direction and purpose, we aim to inspire everyone to contribute to a more sustainable future.
For further information, please contact Mrs Louise Brennan, Estates and Operations Director, via email: lbrennan@cliftonhigh.co.uk.
SUPPORT US
Sustainability and environmental awareness are commitments that Clifton High School recognises as a shared responsibility.
The Clifton High School Foundation are devoted to sustaining and expanding our efforts and their 150th Anniversary Appeal aims to Fund the Future by leaving a greener School for future generations by improving our estate and introducing new facilities across the campus to meet our environmental, ethical and social responsibilities.
We encourage all members of our community to contribute ideas and support as we continue to raise awareness and educate our pupils.
For more information about our 150th Anniversary Appeal, please contact Mrs Elizabeth Bond, Development Director, via email: ebond@cliftonhigh.co.uk.
Trail Building at Eastville Park in Bristol
Bright Green Day 2024
