9 eco-friendly achievements that are making a difference in Harris academies

Our schools are leading the way in sustainable education and creating a culture of environmental responsibility. Learn about the eco-friendly initiatives that are making a difference in our communities and how we're preparing our young people for a greener future.

1. Energy Sparks scheme

In November 2022, the Harris Federation signed up to Energy Sparks, an online tool for analysing energy usage and an energy education programme. Since then, 44 of our academies have registered to the scheme. Two primaries in particular distinguished themselves with their commitment – Harris Primary Academy Haling Park and Harris Primary Academy Shortlands.

Harris Primary Academy Haling Park are second in the London scoreboard. The academy has taken a range of energy saving measures, and the pupils have designed their very own energy saving mascot. 

They recently benefited from a workshop from the Energy Sparks team, learning about the impact of climate change on Antarctica. The eco-committee and Pupil Parliament also got hands on experience using a thermal imaging camera to find out where heat was being lost around the school site.

According to Energy Sparks’ own analysis, Harris Primary Academy Shortlands is now the top-performing school across the UK. They have incorporated the analysis of school energy usage into Maths lessons and held student-led assemblies on saving energy and climate action. Carbon reduction measures have included the labelling of lights and appliances to be turned off, and the turning down of temperatures.

The entire school community, including pupils, dinner staff, care takers and governors were involved in the discussions regarding energy efficiency measures. Student eco-warriors raised awareness through the designing of a logo, noticeboard displays and conducting spot checks on lights and electrical items, proceeding to deliver advice to staff. Jordan Hollis, Principal at Shortlands, commented "We needed to take action with rising energy costs. Energy Sparks enabled us to not only understand our energy usage as a school but our impact on the environment".

 

2. Harris Green Award

In 2022, the Harris Federation presented its inaugural Green Award to Harris Garrard Academy for their innovative approach to outdoor learning. They have developed a dedicated Learning Garden with multi-use green/blue space alongside a curriculum spanning primary and secondary that has been designed to equip students with the green skills needed for the future.

Special commendations also went to Harris Westminster Sixth Form for their student-led political campaigning, and Harris Academy Merton for their tree planting and sustainable drainage solutions. The Green Award will also be presented in 2023, with applications opening this term.

 

3. New Ecological Centre at Harris South Norwood site

Students, teachers and site staff, as well as representatives from head office, were delighted to attend the opening of the new ecological centre at Beulah. The new centre includes a covered outdoor classroom, a large pond, hives and extensive wooded area with bug hotels created on site from felled trees wood.

Rebecca Hickey, Director of Secondary, cut the ribbon at the entrance to the site, and all visitors were then given tours in small groups that were led by student members of the eco-committee. They introduced staff to the plants and wildlife that could be seen around the ecological centre, and outlined some of the outdoor learning and enrichment activities the academy hopes to engage in.

A plaque at the outdoor classroom was unveiled, 'The HEW-Blake Ecological Centre' named after Owain Blake, the site manager at Beulah who put in a lot of the work to get the centre up and running. After some speeches from students, guests were taken to the library to view an exhibition of pictures and for refreshments. 

 

4. Salix grants for energy improvements

The Harris Federation has been successful in securing grants from the Public Decarbonisation scheme at all stages of funding, the latest being for green heating solutions. So far, we have secured £12.4m. 

This is in addition to the two previous rounds where we secured £4.8m. This funding has enabled around 10,000 new LED light fittings, 543 kWp of roof mounted solar PV installations, which is equivalent to planting 1,545 trees every year.

Fifteen academies have now installed remotely managed Building Management systems which achieves energy cost savings as well as cutting call-outs by 85%. Six of our academies have fitted new heating systems, including air-source heat pumps which reduce gas consumption by an impressive 65%. In addition, a battery energy storage system has been installed at Harris Academy Battersea to support the air-source heat pump in combination with solar PV.

 

5. Environmental conference for our all-through academies

In February 2023, Harris Academy Chobham hosted an environmental conference, inviting fellow all-through academies, Harris Academy Tottenham and Harris Garrard Academy for an inspiring day of green events.

Author Michael Holland, the key note speaker, told the children about his book ‘I Ate Sunshine for Breakfast’ and his ideas for making a bee hotel out of toilet rolls and other brilliant upcycling ideas. Local councillor Joshua Garfield also made a stirring case for climate action. He said, "It was brilliant to hear from Harris Academy Chobham, Tottenham, and Garrard about what it is we should all be doing differently to protect our survival as the human race on this planet and to protect our environment… And it has been brilliant to see them use their voices so powerfully in getting their peers, their families and their entire community to commit to climate action".

Groups of children took turns to engage in some public speaking on a range of environmental issues. Awards were then presented to each of the participating academies for their environmental actions with the themes of Trash Tag, How Grow Can You Go and Trash To Treasure. 

Musical interludes were provided by the choirs from Chobham and Tottenham academies, and from the Harris Garrard Academy brass band.

Watch the highlights of the day in our conference video. 

 

6. Climate and ecological emergency policy

In July 2022, we published our climate and ecological emergency policy document, which included recommendations for incorporating climate change and sustainability throughout the curriculum, improving water and energy efficiency, and ensuring that our green space is stewarded with an eye to biodiversity. 

 

7. Farms for City Children programme

Students at Harris Academy Tottenham had the chance to benefit from the Farms for City Children programme, living and working for a week at Wales’ most westerly farm, Lower Treginnis.

An episode of ITV’s Coast and Country saw students engaging in a range of activities at the sustainable farm, including composting, feeding, and grooming animals, and helping out with woodwork. One of the Year 8 students who was interviewed as part of the programme, commented, "We’ve been learning about teamwork and if you’re by yourself it’s not as good as if you’re all together… It’s really good here...The scenery is amazing, the air is much fresher. In London it’s full of pollution, but here, there are not many cars or roads. It’s really nice here".

 

8. Gardening and food growing grants

Harris Boys' Academy East Dulwich has been awarded a Whole Kids Foundation School Garden Grant from School Food Matters. This will be used by the gardening club to create five new planters around the school. Harris Girls' Academy Bromley was also successful in their application for hedgerow whips from the Tree Council. The whips have been used to create a hedgerow around part of the playground, boosting biodiversity and also acting as a safeguarding shield. It will also be the basis for gardening activities and workshops on public speaking throughout the year.

In 2022, Harris academies Purley, Merton, and Beckenham all successfully applied for a Veolia fund for mini-orchards, all of which have now been planted. Groups of students went out to take part in the planting, taking turns to dig, and to add compost and water. At Harris Academy Purley, the orchard will be part of an area reserved for nature and organic food growing.

 

9. Eco-conscious uniform suppliers

At Harris, we use five uniform sellers, and all carry out selling and measuring events to help parents and students avoid unnecessary shopping journeys. They all provide or facilitate second hand uniform sales, either in-house or virtually, with the aid of apps such as Uniformerly or Old School Uniform, allowing parents to buy or exchange online. All our uniform suppliers are engaged in initiatives to make maximum use of recycled plastic or textiles to reduce waste.

At Harris, we're committed to making a positive impact on the planet and creating a more sustainable future. By prioritising eco-friendly initiatives and integrating environmental education into our curriculum, we're helping to raise a generation of environmentally-conscious leaders who will continue to make a difference long after they leave our classrooms. It's important to remember that every small action can have a big impact; together, we can build a greener, healthier planet.