Cheney School Finalist in Oxford Climate Awards
BackWe are delighted to announce that Cheney is one of three finalists in the Sustainable Secondary School of the year category of the Oxford Climate Awards 2024!
Year 11 student Laurie, is also a finalist in the Youth Climate Action Champion category!
Cheney School became the first school to achieve EnCO (The Energy Conscious Organisation) status in 2021, having significantly reduced energy consumption, and we are now working towards a full carbon footprint from all activities.
The Energy Management Consultant, Wendy Cheeseman, who has been working with us to achieve this, says:
"Working with Cheney School over the last decade has been a joy. The interest and commitment is palpable as soon as you enter the school. It is demonstrated not only by the commitment to resource efficiency through their energy reduction work and latest project for a full carbon footprint, but also by the way they engage and educate pupils to be climate conscious citizens of the future. The name is becoming synonymous with energy efficiency through behaviour change in the education sector as its accreditation as an Energy Conscious Organisation is used as an exemplar in its field. It has been a pleasure to support them on their journey."
We facilitate an active Sixth Form Climate committee and a Year 7-11 Eco club, and are very proud that an active member of the Eco Club, Laurie in year 11, is also a Finalist, one of three, for the ‘Youth Climate Action Champion’ award. Laurie was nominated by History teacher and new Sustainability Coordinator, Mr Vasy De La Cruz, for his ‘considerable expertise and positive can-do attitude,’ committing not only his breaktimes to school sustainability but also helping the local community's environmental goals outside school hours. He has also taken an exemplar role, alongside others, in making the Eco Club’s latest creation - Ted the rubbish monster - which will be on show at Creature Fest after school tomorrow - symbolising the growing influence of pollution and other environmental challenges being bounded by the UN Sustainable Development Goals. (More about the finalists for the 'Youth Climate Action Champion' can be found on page 18 and 19 of today's Oxford Mail.)
Students also participate in the OXSSN (Oxford Schools Sustainability Network), and this September, Cheney has introduced a new BTEC ‘Land-Based Studies’ qualification.
The Parent Teacher Association, Cheney Friends, is also a big part of the school’s sustainability drive, running a Greening Cheney fundraising campaign to implement a greener environment, encouraging wildlife for staff and students at the city centre school.
On how it feels to be nominated for the Sustainable Secondary School of the Year award, Headteacher Mr Rob Pavey says:
"As a large and very inclusive comprehensive school, we have lots of students who are very engaged with sustainability and the climate crisis. To be nominated for the award is great for the students and staff who are part of the drive to net zero. In a school of 1,700 students housed in old buildings, this is no small challenge, but we have already made great progress. We have cut our carbon footprint from energy usage by half in the last 8 years, and we are about to have a full carbon footprint from all our activities, including getting to and from school, school trips and procurement. The award will give our sustainability committee a boost as we continue to reduce our impact on the planet."
All staff, as part of sustainability in the River Learning Trust, have undertaken training to ensure the climate and nature crisis is communicated in a serious but sensitive manner, taking the needs of students into account. The aim is to inform, equip and empower staff and pupils so that they can look forward to a sustainable future.
It is great to take part in The Oxford Climate Awards, because we like to celebrate our achievements in this area and draw attention to all the exciting opportunities that acting in the interests of people, climate and nature bring.
The 2024 Oxford Climate Award winners will be announced at a prestigious black-tie event on the 17th of October 2024, at Oxford Town Hall.
For more information about the Oxford Climate Awards visit: https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/climate-awards/
