West Midlands Schools Step Up for Climate with Bold Green Action
On Wednesday the 5th of June Summit Learning Trust united its schools and college across the West Midlands in a powerful collective effort to mark World Environment Day, aligning with the global theme of “Land Restoration, Desertification, and Drought Resilience,” hosted this year by Jeju Province, South Korea. Jeju’s leadership in tackling plastic pollution resonates strongly with Summit’s own ambitious climate goals.
Summit Learning Trust is proud to be at the forefront of sustainability in education. With 37% of the UK’s carbon emissions stemming from the public sector, the trust is actively working to reduce its environmental footprint by embracing energy efficient solutions, boosting recycling rates, and embedding sustainability across all its operations.
Among the trust’s flagship initiatives is the TREAD Lightly programme, encouraging schools to Turn off, Reduce use, be Energy efficient, use Alternative sources, and Do something. This practical framework empowers learners to take real climate action in their communities and beyond. TREAD Lightly has been developed by the Education Group that is part of the West Midlands Lieutenancy, which encourages community projects that benefit the region as well as supporting The King and his many benevolent interests.
One of the most exciting sustainability milestones this year is the opening of the Turvey Building at Solihull Sixth Form College. Opened in January, this state-of-the-art building is net-zero in operation and features air source heat pumps, solar panels, LED lighting, and natural ventilation, a physical manifestation of Summit’s commitment to decarbonising education.
Across Summit schools, learners are actively driving sustainability. At Ninestiles, an Academy, over half a million single-use plastic bottles have been eliminated. Across all campuses, electric vehicle chargers are in place with more being installed in three sites over the recent school break, and waste is separated after collection to support recycling efforts, with 99% of waste from the trust’s schools going through a recycling programme. LED lights have also been installed across Summit schools with 160,000kW of hours saved this year from their energy consumption. The trust have also installed 1300 solar panels installed, saving £262,700 year to date.
Meanwhile, Lyndon School’s Climate Action Group has become a beacon of youth leadership in sustainability with learners doing everything from organising litter picks and campaigns on waste reduction to launching a photography competition to raise awareness about biodiversity.
Lyndon learners have also represented countries in a Mock COP29 conference, discussed policy with the local council, and completed a climate action survey to guide future school policy.
Summit Learning Trust is aligning its strategy with the government’s goal of Net Zero by 2050, supported by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and the Department for Education. Through innovation, collaboration, and a passionate commitment to youth led change, Summit is determined to lead the way for a better future for all.
Vince Green, CEO of Summit Learning Trust said:
“At Summit Learning Trust, we believe in more than academic success, we believe in nurturing responsible, future-ready citizens. Our amazing young people care deeply about the environment, and our commitment to sustainability gives them the tools to lead change. From energy-efficient buildings to single-use-plastic-free campuses, we are not just saving time and money, we are improving our planet too.”