Windsor Park CE Middle School
The school had already started some outstanding initiatives on increasing their Biodiversity, Climate Resilience and Decarbonisation. These efforts were supported by enthusiastic staff and the senior leadership team. They are now working with a recently trained Climate Ambassador to develop their Climate Action Plan.
Anastasia Bengry is a PhD student at the University of Derby. Her research focuses on Outdoor education and promotion of Nature Connectedness within educational settings. This aims to increase their sustainability and improve children’s well-being. She joined the West Midlands Climate Ambassadors regional hub in February 2025. She was introduced to Windsor Park CE Middle School (WPMS) Uttoxeter straight after completing her Climate Ambassador training.
The school and Anastasia held a series of meetings. They discussed introducing a Climate Action Plan (CAP) and its progress. This included the involvement of staff and pupils. Anastasia’s main goal was to increase the confidence of this educational setting on their journey to sustainability.
We all feel much more confident in what needs to happen.
Jodie Bailey, Sustainability Lead, Deputy Headteacher, WPMS
There was a fantastic opportunity for Anastasia to return after a few months. She learned about the stronger position of staff and pupils. This was in relation to the changes they have recently made and continue making on their CAP.
We contacted the local council and are waiting on the outcome regarding the path that consistently floods and causes major issues. Our new pond has become a home to ducks and we purchased shading equipment to be used during hot days. National Sports week saw most lessons (Science, Maths, English) being taught outside with the children loving this idea. We have had pay a pound for a coat to reduce our lost property which was a success!
Tina Pearce, Eco-Committee leader, WPMS
During Career Week, Year 7 and 8 children were keen to take part in the discussion about sustainable living. They were also interested in jobs they might consider for their future. This demonstrated the importance of their learning about biodiversity on the school grounds. They were also influenced by the recent CAP changes they witnessed within their educational setting.
I do hope that this school with its highly committed leaders will inspire other educational settings to take big or small steps to increase their sustainable practices and make nature an important part of pupils’ lives, which they feel connected to and responsible for.
Anastasia, Climate Ambassador
