At Chidham Parochial Primary School, sustainability is one of the three key golden threads that runs through our curriculum, alongside Farming and Spirituality. We believe that nurturing environmentally responsible children is essential for the future of our community and our planet. Sustainability is woven throughout learning experiences across all year groups, helping pupils develop the knowledge, skills and values needed to care for the environment and make informed choices. 

Celebrating our 2025/26 Impact

During 2025/26, our commitment to sustainability delivered significant achievements. Through our work with the Let's Go Zero campaign, active Eco Council and whole-school sustainability initiatives, we successfully reduced our estimated carbon footprint from 165 tonnes CO₂e to 124 tonnes CO₂e – a reduction of almost 25% in just one year. 

Some of our highlights included:

• Reducing electricity consumption by 6% through energy-saving measures. 
• Increasing sustainable travel, with 25% of staff travelling by electric vehicle and 25% using active travel methods, reducing staff commuting emissions by over 40%. 
• Installing two composting "Hot Bins", leading to a 50% reduction in food waste and producing compost for use around the school. [
• Becoming a Plastic Free School and achieving the Wastebusters . 
• Installing four water butts and continuing to improve biodiversity across our grounds. 
• Embedding sustainability within our curriculum and introducing our first whole-school Eco Afternoon. 

Looking Ahead: Our 2026/27 Climate Action Plan

Our Climate Action Plan for 2026/27 builds on this success and focuses on further reducing our environmental impact while deepening pupils' understanding of sustainability. Key priorities include:

• Investigating and improving energy monitoring through smart meters and energy management systems.
• Continuing to pursue opportunities for solar energy generation and other low-carbon technologies. 
• Expanding biodiversity projects, wildlife surveys and habitat creation. 
• Promoting active travel and sustainable transport choices. 
• Raising awareness of water conservation and environmental responsibility.
• Embedding even more sustainability learning opportunities across the curriculum.

Leadership and Accountability

Achieving our sustainability goals is a whole-school effort. Our work is guided by a dedicated team including our Forest School Teacher, who leads outdoor learning and biodiversity projects; our Sustainability Lead, who coordinates our Climate Action Plan; and our Sustainability Governor, who provides strategic oversight and ensures that sustainability remains a priority within school improvement planning. Together with staff, pupils, governors and our wider community, they help ensure that our ambitious environmental goals are translated into meaningful action. 

Through these combined efforts, Chidham Parochial Primary School is developing environmentally aware young people who understand their responsibility to care for God's creation, their local community and the wider world.