Stewart Fleming Primary School’s new swap shop will help save on uniform costs and encourage sustainability

Four schools have won sustainability packages as part of the IKEA-Let’s Go Zero Sustainable Schools competition.

The initiative – a partnership between IKEA and the national zero carbon campaign for schools, Let’s Go Zero – was a chance for schools to win one of three sustainability product packages: a uniform swap shop, a sustainability hub, or outdoor seating and furniture.

Supporting the Let’s Go Zero’s campaign to make all 32,000 UK schools zero carbon by 2030, the competition gives schools £1,500 of IKEA products and the opportunity for them to build relationships with their local IKEA stores.

To enter, schools sent in videos showcasing the sustainability work their students are already doing, and, with over 70 entries, the judges had a hard time choosing only four winners.

Alex Green, head of Let’s Go Zero said: “With 42% of all UK households being home to school aged children, the classroom is a natural place to inspire change across communities for the next generation.

“It’s great to see such brilliant examples of schools working on zero-carbon solutions – improving their schools’ facilities at the same time as reducing energy, waste and becoming more sustainable.

“These schools show clearly that they can inspire children to protect the environment, create beautiful learning spaces, and provide students with vital new skills all at once.”

The winners are:

Coppice Valley Primary School, Harrogate – The ‘go outside’ classroom

Students at Coppice Valley Primary School love outdoor learning and being out in nature. Their new outdoor seating means they can open their grounds up to the wider community and other local schools without green space. Though a small school, they have big plans, including holding onsite residentials and family workshops.

Gateshead College, Newcastle – The upcycling and repairing hub 

Staff and students see their new swap shop becoming a hub for education on the circular economy and the benefits of repairing and reusing items.

As well as offering second-hand clothing to a huge number of students across four campuses, the swap shop will be a place to learn practical repair and upcycling skills, empowering students and the community to live sustainably.

It will also help to alleviate financial stresses and help community members through the cost-of-living crisis.

Members of The Wallace High School’s Eco-Team help to tidy up the school grounds

The Wallace High School, Lisburn, Northern Ireland – The eco team’s sustainability space 

Sustainability is a cornerstone of the school’s ethos, and, with its new sustainability hub, it will create a dedicated and inclusive space for eco-learning.

The Eco-Team will use the space to meet, plan, and hold events with guest speakers from different environmental groups.

Other schools and local businesses will also be invited to learn about sustainability practices, and the hub will be at the centre of the school’s eco-work.

Stewart Fleming Primary School, London – The uniform Swap Shop 

Having had no dedicated space for second-hand uniform, Stewart Fleming’s new swap shop will help students and their parents to be more sustainable and save on uniform costs.

It will teach the students and their families about the importance of reusing clothes, and how it can help to reduce waste, conserve resources, and save money.

The school also hopes the co-benefits of the swap shop will encourage the trust to roll out similar provisions across its other schools.