Sustainability
At the David Ross Education Trust, we are committed to building a greener, more sustainable future for our students, staff and communities. Every academy plays a part in reducing our environmental impact and inspiring young people to take positive action for the planet. On this page, you’ll find our school’s Climate Action Plan along with updates on projects and activities that showcase how we are putting sustainability into practice.
Academy Climate Action Plan
Current Projects & Activities
Quay Academy is committed to becoming a more sustainable school and is actively working towards achieving the Green Flag Award. As part of this initiative, the school has established its own Eco-Council, known as the Eco Warriors. This council is made up of 10 pupils and 2 staff members who work together to plan and carry out eco-friendly projects aimed at making the school more environmentally responsible.
Over the past year, Quay Academy has focused heavily on promoting recycling throughout the school community. Every classroom is now equipped with three separate bins: one for recyclables, one for food waste, and one for general waste. Additionally, new food-waste-only bins are being introduced to the playground, clearly marked with stickers to help pupils identify them easily.
To raise awareness about environmental issues, the school also created a wave sculpture made entirely from recycled plastic bottles. This was featured in an art exhibition to highlight the importance of beach clean-ups and recycling.
Gardening
Quay Academy is proud to have its own gardening club. This academic year, the club’s focus is on relocating plants from the old garden area to a newly designated space. Spring will be the club’s busiest season, as pupils take part in planting vegetables, fruit bushes, and seeds generously donated to the school. We’re excited to see how the garden develops throughout the year!
Forest School
During the summer holidays, Quay Academy has been working hard to develop a new Forest School area as part of our ongoing sustainability efforts. New trees have been planted to help support the environment, and we are also introducing a pond and birdhouses to encourage biodiversity and support insect life within our school grounds.
To further enhance this initiative, we have partnered with The Nature Park to embed nature-based learning into the curriculum. This programme encourages pupils to actively care for their environment and improve the site for both people and wildlife.
Water Waste
Quay Academy is taking proactive steps to reduce water waste. Over the summer, we partnered with Yorkshire Water to install two brand-new Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) in the school playground. These systems help manage rainwater more effectively and reduce the risk of flooding. In addition, Yorkshire Water has provided engaging workshops to help educate pupils about water sustainability and conservation.
