Sustainability Strategy
Pickwick Academy Trust Sustainability Strategy and Climate Action Plan 2025-2028
Sustainability Leadership in the Education Sector
The mission of the UK Government, as part of its Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy for Education (2022), is to be the world-leading sector in sustainability and climate change by 2030.
The DFE expects all schools to have a Climate Action Plan and sustainability leadership in place by the 2025-26 Academic Year.
The DFE Strategy has four key aims:
- Climate education: preparing pupils for a world impacted by climate change through learning and practical experience
- Decarbonisation: reducing direct and indirect emissions from education buildings and providing opportunities for pupils to practically engage in the transition to net zero
- Resilience: adapting school buildings and systems to prepare for the effects of climate change
- A better environment for future generations: enhancing biodiversity, improving air quality and increasing access to (and connection with) nature in and around schools
The Church of England have also issued a Statement on Sustainability and the Environment, a part of which states:
General Synod has called upon all parts of the Church to draw up an action plan to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions year-on-year, achieving net zero by 2030. This sits alongside a crisis in biodiversity; we know we need to protect the biodiversity within church grounds and church land.
At Pickwick Academy Trust we have developed our Sustainability strategy and Climate Action Plan, ensuring that each of these areas are included. In recognition of our Church Schools, our Action plan also provides links to the SIAMS SEF/ Development Plan. Each of our schools have developed their own action plan that sits under our Trust strategy alongside work that will be driven by our Trust Central team covering areas such as Premises and Procurement.
Pickwick Academy Trust Vision for Sustainability and Climate Change
Pickwick Academy Trust is committed to sustainable growth, to provide the best outcomes for the communities we serve now and in the future by aligning and resourcing central services and succession planning to ensure investment remains in quality teaching, learning and leadership.
As part of the five-year strategic plan, Pickwick Academy Trust have clearly set out our Vision for Sustainability and Climate Change:
‘To be a carbon neutral organisation by proactively promoting and operating eco-friendly practices which protect and sustain the environment.’
The Trust recognises its responsibility to work alongside every organisation and household to reduce the devastating effects of climate change across the world.
To achieve this, we need to work as one Organisation, with all Stakeholders committing to support and deliver a Whole School and Whole Trust change to our Culture. We will work together on specific topics, provide agency to pupils through pledges and concentrate on the benefits of sustainability across all communities to encourage action and reduce anxiety.
During this academic year 2025-26, we are working on the following areas, focusing on one topic per term:
- Energy
- Food
- Nature
Next academic year 2026-27, we will be focusing on the following areas:
- Waste
- Transport
- Water
This approach will enable all pupils, staff and stakeholders to make achievable positive changes under one key area at a time and to see the impact of these at school level and across the Trust. It will also allow schools to share learning in order to promote sustainable practices and drive change in with our local communities.
