Introduction
Addressing the climate crisis involves multiple strategies – efficient energy usage, responsible consumption, and forward-thinking policies. But perhaps the most powerful of all? Education.
Empowering young people with the knowledge and tools to create a more sustainable future is essential.
That’s why, when leading full-boarding girls’ school Sherborne Girls contacted us looking for help enhancing their sustainability credentials, we were excited to collaborate. One year after receiving Planet Mark Certification, the Dorset-based school has been thriving on its sustainability journey, engaging both teachers and students alike.
“Planet Mark is like our decarbonisation sat nav, giving us a road map of exactly where we need to be and how we can get there.” Tim Peacock, Director of Estates and Facilities
The desire for more
Sherborne Girls has a clear mission: to empower young women to become independent thinkers and bring about positive change in global industries. These seeds of change are planted at school.
Recognising this, the school set up an eco-council in 2018, featuring a group of eco-prefects dedicated to generating ideas for sustainable change. This was a fantastic step forward, with students leading the way in enacting decisive positive initiatives.
So, with this progress already underway, why partner with Planet Mark?
The light bulb moment
While the eco-council was undoubtedly a success, it became clear that measuring the impact of its initiatives and those of the broader organisation was just as vital as taking action itself.
The school realised they needed external expertise to build on their internal ideas and ensure tangible sustainability success.
Sherborne Girls sought a partner that would understand the school’s values, worked as an equal collaborator, and could guide them in both the short and long term.
After evaluating several companies, pupils and teachers chose Planet Mark.
The rest, as they say, is history.
The stats
- An 8.7% reduction in carbon emissions year-on-year
- Over 50% reduction in floodlight energy usage
- 30% decrease in paper consumption
- 9% reduction in gas usage
The story so far
Things have been a little different at Sherborne Girls since Planet Mark Certification. Here are a few examples of the progress made to date.
1.Reduced food waste
Pupils, particularly the eco-prefects, have taken the initiative to minimize food waste on campus. Through collaboration with chefs, kitchen staff, and other students, there has been a substantial reduction in food waste through menu adjustments and changing preferences.
2. Bring-your-own-cup drinks offer
The eco-council also found that single-use cups were having a negative impact on the school’s sustainability goals. To combat that, a 10% discount for students using reusable cups was brought in. The initiative has been a resounding success, reducing waste and engaging students who might not have been otherwise involved in sustainability efforts.
3. LED floodlights installations
Making sustainable choices not only helps the environment but may also cut down costs. Sherborne Girls discovered this when their energy audit found that their sports pitch floodlights were outdated and inefficient.
New LED floodlights were installed, reducing energy consumption by over 50% within weeks and providing improved lighting for sports activities.
A numbers game
Sustainable action requires data. Sherborne Girls is benefiting from detailed emissions data, thanks to Planet Mark. This data supports informed decision-making and helps the school focus on key areas for improvement.
Most importantly, it’s not just the amount of data that can be gathered, but which areas to focus on. Planet Mark has helped the institution cut through the noise and pinpoint areas of improvement amongst the vast amount of information available. *Meaningful* data is always the missing piece of the puzzle.
Planet Mark’s guidance ensures that data is used effectively, involving the entire school community in sustainability efforts.
This data doesn’t sit in a report—it’s actively discussed by the eco-council and shared with the whole school during assemblies, creating a culture of collective responsibility.
The result is a much more extensive, collaborative approach to sustainability. In some ways, this approach is not dissimilar to how Planet Mark encourages organisations in corporate spaces to engage an entire workforce. Net zero is much easier to achieve when we’re all in it together.
Educating and engaging pupils
Engaging students is central to Sherborne Girls’ sustainability efforts. The school’s Ecologist in Residence, Alana Thorburn, is dedicated to continuous improvement. Alana notes that addressing students’ climate anxiety by empowering them to take action has been impactful.
More students than ever are now generating ideas on potential improvements, such as reducing electricity use in boarding houses. Using Planet Mark data, Alana and the team are working out how to track and improve their energy usage so pupils can see the difference individual houses are making, encouraging friendly competition.
Educational programs on rewilding also integrate environmental awareness into the curriculum, and the facilities team collaborates to ensure the upkeep of vital rewilding spaces. Engaging students in sustainable matters is vital for both short and long-term development.
Looking Forward
Thanks to annual, comprehensive reporting and data-driven insights, Sherborne Girls is well-positioned for continued success These reports help pinpoint areas for improvement, guiding both teachers and students in their sustainability efforts.
For the school, growing future leaders is a key responsibility.
By fostering leadership skills and sustainability-focused thinking in their students, Sherborne Girls ensures they leave not just with knowledge, but with the skills to make a lasting impact in the world. We’re proud of their progress and excited to see how their efforts will shape a more sustainable future.
One thing’s for sure: we feel confident that the future’s in capable hands.
