Showing true leadership and an active interest in sustainability, the Transform Trust’s Children’s Parliament is improving energy efficiency across all our schools by identifying and implementing new practical strategies.
The members of the Children’s Parliament are elected Year 6 representatives from each of our schools. Through the parliament the children are given fantastic opportunities to choose, manage and participate in all kinds of valuable projects.
For their focus this year, the parliamentarians are highlighting an aspect of their own school environment for improvement. They are preparing for their projects by completing an environmental review and creating a clear action plan. Following wider consultations and some research, our representatives are proposing practical and effective changes such as minimising food waste, installing motion-sensor lighting and exchanging paper towels for hand dryers as some of the ways to reduce energy.
Reflecting the project’s credibility, the children are being supported by our staff, headteachers and governors in recognition of the work and leadership they are demonstrating.
Whitegate Primary School is one of the Trust’s leading examples. Its Children’s Parliament representatives have joined forces with school council members to promote its proposed energy efficiency measures. During January, to celebrate Energy Saving Week, the team produced a poster to educate fellow pupils about the role they can play in taking care of the planet. Their ongoing campaign also includes the strategic recruitment of energy saving ambassadors for each class – a clever move!
Trish Wilson, Support Staff Associate at Whitegate Primary School, says “The Children’s Parliament is the voice of our children across Transform Trust. The children undertake an important role in identifying areas for improvement through consultation and being a driving force for change.”
“By allowing the children to lead their own sustainability projects, it ensures that every child has a chance to experience being a leader. This not only allows the children to feel responsible, but it also helps create an accessible leadership culture. The Children’s Parliament is working towards a future where leadership is open to all, regardless of their age or background, teaching them in tandem about fairness and sustainability.”
As the Children’s Parliament continues to explore new avenues for sustainable practices, we anticipate that this initiative will serve as a catalyst for positive change within our local communities. By championing the cause of energy efficiency, equitable leadership, and sustainability, the Children’s Parliament is setting a powerful example for educators and communities alike.
