A multi academy trust is thought to be the first to create a dedicated position to promote biodiversity and sustainability at its schools.
, which operates schools across Nottingham, Derby and Derbyshire, has brought in experienced biodiversity expert to work with each insitution to help it meet its sustainability goals.
It forms part of the trust’s wider goal to ensure each child has access to a green space. According to , there were 6.3 million people in Great Britain living more than a 10-minute walk from a green space in 2024.
Ben Wright, biodiversity officer at Archway Learning Trust, said: 鈥淎rchway is committed to giving its children the best opportunities, not just academically but to ensure we are moulding helpful and thoughtful future citizens.
“We鈥檙e acutely aware that a number of our children come from inner city areas and don鈥檛 have an easy access to a green space or a garden to play in. This can have wide reaching detrimental impacts on a child鈥檚 development, education and mental wellbeing.
鈥淲e look at each school individually, its location and the demographic of its pupils, to best understand how we can support them and tailor our biodiversity and sustainability projects, so every child gets the most out of their time at the school.鈥
So far, with the support of Archway Learning Trust, Ben has created a nature garden at Bluecoat Primary Academy and a nature pond at Bluecoat Bentinck Primary Academy. Alongside this, he has worked to deliver a Rewilding Campuses project at Bluecoat Aspley Academy, which focuses on restoring native plants to support new and existing habitats.
Ben鈥檚 upcoming projects will see him create a community garden at , which involves working closely with alternative provision students to provide an alternative learning environment that teaches them practical skills. Through the project, pupils will create a space to host seasonal events the community can celebrate in.
Ben鈥檚 role as biodiversity officer also focuses on how Archway can operate its schools with the least impact on the planet. For example, a water tank has been installed at , which captures, stores and harvests rainwater. The project not only helps the academy meet its sustainability goals, but also provides useful learning tools in science and geography lessons for pupils.
Sian Hampton, CEO at Archway Learning Trust, added: 鈥淲e have an overarching goal at the trust to engage our pupils at all ages and stages of their education with nature, as well as working towards ways we can reduce the carbon footprint of our sites across Nottingham, Derby and Derbyshire.
鈥淓mploying a dedicated member of the team, who has a wealth of experience and creativity in the area, has allowed us to make significant strides towards these commitments, particularly over the last year, and create a clear target for the academies operating in our trust and for those which join us in the future.
鈥淲e鈥檝e secured various funding pots, including the National Education Nature Park Grant, which is a testament to the excellent work our staff are doing to drive our programme forward, and is a reflection of the innovative nature of our projects and big vision for the future.鈥
