Clare is a Climate Ambassador at her child’s primary school in Beverley, East Riding of Yorkshire. She is a postgraduate researcher in environmental and biological sciences at the University of Hull. This case study is about Clare’s role in supporting her local primary school on their journey towards sustainability through engagement with the Climate Ambassador scheme.

Clare’s involvement began with a conversation with headteacher Chris Bullough at the school gates. Chris has a personal passion for sustainability and climate action. About three years ago he had noticed a growing awareness of schools taking a role in our societal movement towards sustainability, heightened by the Department for Educations Sustainability and Climate Change strategy. Due to Chris wanting support with the business sustainability aspect of the school, he reached out to Let’s Go Zero.

 “I submitted a request for help from Let’s Go Zero and was connected to Richard who came out to meet us on site. He got a real feel for our culture and had a professional understanding and knowledge, and capacity, to move things forward with a turbo charge” – Chris Bullough, Walkington Primary School.

Richard shared information about the DfE Sustainability Support Programme sister project Climate Ambassadors scheme with Chris who then reached out to explore local volunteers who may be able to support the school. Immediately Chris thought of Clare.

Clare was already signed up with STEM Learning as a STEM Ambassador and had previously shown interest with environmental issues at the school. To become a Climate Ambassador she simply attached the scheme to her existing STEM Learning profile and completed a two-hour remote training session. Clare then met with Chris to discuss what the school were already doing and what she could bring to support and extend this. Following this, Clare, Richard and Chris met together as a group to tour the school site and discuss feasible actions to form their Climate Action Plan.

“Walking around the school site with Clare and Richard gave me vocabulary I didn’t have before, and the confidence to act. And having a parent on the team such as Clare strengthens our message” – Chris Bullough, Walkington Primary School.

Whilst Clare brings knowledge on environmental science, Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) and biodiversity, working with Chris and Richard is broadening her understanding of sustainability and challenges experienced by schools.

“Richard’s experience of decarbonisation and building structure has been great. Exploring some of the issues the school faces, for example how the meals are outsourced due to kitchen facility restrictions, has really put things into perspective. It can be frustrating as a parent, feeling like you are on the sidelines and that the school might not appear to be doing much about sustainability and climate change, when actually they are” – Clare Collins, Climate Ambassador.

“Schools I support generally have three big challenges: money, time and knowledge. But successful schools have one thing in common – enthusiasm. A few enthusiastic staff really drive progress in sustainability. There are organisations out there, namely the Department for Education’s Sustainability Support Programme, who can overcome the challenges and provide free support to see real change” – Richard Berry, Let’s Go Zero.

Clare feels that her role of a parent and the school Climate Ambassador allow her to formally be involved with the school’s sustainability journey. It gives her a voice in her community and opportunity for growth aligning her professional and personal priorities.

“Being a Climate Ambassador gives me the opportunity to really make a difference for our kid’s future: it makes me feel so much more positive” – Clare Collins, Climate Ambassador.

Want to make a difference in Yorkshire and Humber too?

If you are a parent or individual who would like to support a school with sustainability and climate action, or a school looking for support, email the Yorkshire and Humber Hub at climateambassadors_yh@leeds.ac.uk to find out more.

Are you from elsewhere in England?

If you’re from a different region you can find the right contact or sign up on Contact us & get involved | Climate Ambassadors