In October 2021 Moulsford launched a new Sustainability Policy, pledging to integrate and address environmental sustainability in eleven key areas: education, energy, water, waste, buildings & grounds, catering, sports & activities, classroom equipment, transport, events and community. “The goal of our Sustainability Policy is to make living more sustainably an intrinsic part of the school’s ethos, so Moulsford becomes an institution where all members of the community are properly educated about this key issue and aware of the part each one of us plays in safeguarding and protecting the future of our planet,” commented Headmaster Ben Beardmore-Gray.

Sustainability provided the theme for Arts Week back in October, and pupils have been participating in various events to highlight the importance of the new school policy and the actions that every member of the school – boys, staff, parents and governors – can take to help Moulsford in its aim to become more sustainable. 

After an initial interactive assembly in which the Sustainability Policy details were presented alongside videos and slides to explain the effects of climate change, the boys moved onto workshops run by 'Green Up Your Act', an organisation which takes a creative, hands-on approach to environmental education.

Year 5 performed the play ‘One Planet Future’, which provided the audience with much food for thought on the subject of rubbish, landfill, and rewilding.  During the Musical Soirées, the choir’s performance of ‘Reduce, Reuse, Recycle’ reinforced the sustainability message.

Head of DT, Jess Roberts, who is spearheading the Sustainability Project said, “Climate change is a very real threat to our way of life and I would like Moulsford, as a community, to recognise this and do whatever we can do to be part of the solution. Educating ourselves and our boys about such matters is the biggest thing we can do right now.”

The Eco Prefects have been coming up with some great ideas to tackle key issues, with one such idea being to buy large weighing scales for the dining room so that boys can measure their food waste and set reduction targets for the future. 

The school has also been promoting an initiative by Young Climate Warriors, in which pupils are tasked with fun, age-appropriate carbon-busting weekly challenges. Ben Beardmore-Gray explained “These challenges provide background related information - drawing attention to entrepreneurs, innovators and global and local initiatives. Making small changes as Young Climate Warriors can embed sustainable habits for life, as well helping to influence families and friends and ultimately help change what could be termed our social norms”. 

The Headmaster’s view is that “We must just remember to ‘TALK ABOUT IT’. It’s the most important thing we can do to fight climate change.”

If there are any Old Moles involved with sustainability projects, who might be able to help us towards our goals, we would be delighted to hear from them.

Contact us at oldmoles@moulsford.com