By Joshua Robinson – 

Nields Junior, Infant and Nursery School emerged victorious as the Regional Winner in the Primary Awards for Green Education in Schools (PAGES) 2024. Their project, “Nields Garden – Fundraising,” beat entries from schools across northern England in the “Green Entrepreneurs” category.

The PAGES competition, an initiative by the Young People’s Trust for the Environment (YPTE), continues to inspire environmental education, with 35,000 children participating in this year’s event.

Nields Junior, Infant and Nursery School’s approach to environmental stewardship has transformed their Nields Garden into a model of self-sufficiency. These young entrepreneurs grew potatoes and rhubarb that not only graced the tables of the school community but also found their way to the shelves of a local greengrocer.

In addition, the children crafted potted plants for Mother’s Day, turning their horticultural skills into a fundraising achievement.

Their endeavours have extended beyond the garden, the students were able to take the plastic waste and raise £320 in the last year alone, with 260kg of plastic bottle tops collected.

Furthermore, compost caddies are now present in every classroom, ensuring that not a single scrap of food waste goes to waste, instead nourishing the soil that will give rise to more greenery in the Nields Garden.

In recognition of their efforts, Nields Junior, Infant and Nursery School will be awarded £500 to further fuel their green initiatives.

Peter Littlewood, YPTE’s Director, said: “It is fabulous to see how many green initiatives the children of Nields are involved in. They are really showing how growing and recycling can make considerable amounts of money, which can then be ploughed back into maintaining their lovely garden.”

The success of Nields Junior, Infant and Nursery School in the PAGES 2024 competition highlights the impact of environmental education. Their innovative projects and commitment to sustainability have earned them regional recognition and positioned them as an inspiring example for schools across the country.

PAGES have been supported by donations from R&Co4Generations (Rothschild & Co’s philanthropic foundation) for the last three years.  R&Co4Generations collaborates with social and environmental purpose organisations that are aligned with the foundation’s core aim of empowering future generations and protecting the planet. YPTE is extremely grateful to R&Co4Generations for its support.

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