SUSTAINABILITY

We believe that in today's world, it is crucial to support climate literacy, to help students understand environmental challenges and to provide young people with a solid understanding of modern sustainable solutions - big and small! We also believe that students should learn not only about the science of climate change but also how their actions can make a positive difference.

Through this focus, we are preparing our students to become responsible, environmentally conscious citizens who can make informed choices and recognise climate misinformation in increasingly difficult to navigate online spaces.

our green flag journey

The Eco-Schools programme does this through providing a simple framework that has been designed to raise awareness of environmental issues whilst empowering young people to make a positive difference by taking a lead on environmental actions and projects in their school and local community.

The program is broken down into seven steps that take place over the academic year and gives young people the freedom to decide on the environmental issues they would like to tackle and how to involve their school and wider community.

The Eco-Schools programme began in 1994, is delivered in more than 70 countries around the world and in England is operated by the environmental charity 'Keep Britain Tidy'. The programme not only positively impacts our planet, it also benefits young people, building teamwork and leadership skills whilst increasing confidence and reducing eco-anxiety.

If you would like to learn more about the Eco-Schools Green Flag programme, please follow the link below.

https://www.eco-schools.org.uk/

2024 - 2025 Green flag

This year we have chosen to focus on the topics of Global Citizenship, Energy and School Grounds for our Eco-Schools Green Flag application.

Application ongoing - check back for updates soon.

2023 - 2024 Green flag

In the 2023-2024 school year, the Marlborough Eco-Committee chose School grounds, Bio-diversity and Energy as the 3 topics to tackle for our Eco-schools application. We were pleased to achieve the award for the second year in a row.

School Grounds

The Eco Committee took part in several litter picks over the school year, including a targeted litter pick of the Franklin quad, an area the students would like to further develop in the future.

The Eco-committee carried out a bin availability audit around the school grounds to identify problematic areas and recycling availability across the school grounds. It has also endeavoured to ensure every classroom has plastic and paper recycling bins to reduce waste and litter on the site.

Bio-diversity

info to follow

Energy

Design and technology students came together to design and produce a sustainable wind turbine using re-cycled materials which is now connected and used to power an external light.
The school monitors its energy carefully with the use of smart energy meters and has recently installed motion detectors for all corridor lights ensuring no energy is wasted

2022 - 2023 Green flag

In 2022/23, TMSA were proud to achieve the Eco Schools Green Flag award for the first time. This was accomplished through a year-long process in which the eco committee strived to tackle 3 core topics. These were Transport, Waste and Bio-diversity.

Transport

Waste

Bids for large bottle recycling bins were made and are now in place around the school site to promote better recycling and reduce litter.
The eco-committee recorded their opinions on waste and the environment which was broadcasted on a local radio station on Christmas day.
Our design and technology department introduced an up-cycle project for their GCSE students to encourage the use of sustainable materials.
The school ran a battery recycling house competition in which students competed to see which house could recycle the greatest number of batteries. Since then, a dedicated battery recycling bin has remained available in the LRC for student and staff use.

Bio-diversity

The school used projects in D&T such as the bird box project to create homes for our local bird population. Students were able to keep them for their own gardens or donate to the school.

Bug hotels were made by the students in D&T which are now situated around the school.

Students from the eco-committee helped to sow vegetable seeds for the community food garden run by the Grow Community - Sopwell group

Paper pots and peat-free compost were used to sow runner and French beans
Some of the plants were available for Sopwell residents at pop-up seedling stalls at locations around the ward encouraging local people to grow their own food

The Key skills group worked hard to develop our small garden area into allotments to start their own vegetable gardens

other sustainable actions

The school uses digital screens, our Oracy initiative and our form times and lessons to help raise awareness on a number of important sustainability issues, including the pollution and destruction of habitats
Our canteen has moved away from single use plastics and has introduced more bio-friendly products such as biodegradable cutlery and food containers

In 2023, the school council helped run a campaign of posters designed to remind everyone to turn off lights, projectors, and computers after use and save energy

‘The M Store’ is our on-site food, hygiene and clothes bank designed to support not only our school community but also the wider community. Our community support office is working alongside local charities and organisations to maintain a fully stocked store to aid people during the cost-of-living crisis

The school PTA run second hand uniform sales several times a year. All proceeds from sales go to the PTA to help fund school projects. Donations of good quality, clean uniform can be made via school reception.
The school has switched all of its windows to double-glazing which has helped our classrooms become more energy efficient and better insulated.

Marlborough is striving to reduce its paper usage and has introduced chromebooks to our lower year groups which will stay with students throughout their school journey. This has enabled more teaching to be done in a digital format and has reduced the reliance on paper worksheets.
Students are encouraged to use re-usable water bottles in school and water fountains are provided around site.