One of the most important subjects of our age is climate change. We were delighted, therefore, to send a select group of six Year 9 gifted and talented boys to a Climate Change Conference at Hounslow’s Civic Centre.
This all-day event took place in the impressive council chamber, with schools invited from across the borough. Each school represented a country for the day – we were given India – and asked to present on how the country is progressing towards its target of reducing carbon emissions. Our students were impressive in their research and gave a fantastic presentation. Then, the groups were invited to form coalitions and negotiate with other countries on joint projects. This was an excellent chance for the group to network with like-minded students from local schools.
Later, students had the chance to talk to ten organisations in the field, including Love Food Not Waste. It was invaluable to hear from experts, and we were impressed with how students asked questions of the visitors. This new knowledge then fed into the final activity, with students tasked with working on local action. They came up with three points to bring back to school:
- Set up an environmental committee in school;
- Disseminate information about emissions to their peers; and
- Work with the school to continue recycling plastic.
Ms Squires went on the trip with the boys and was highly complimentary, describing them as a credit to the school. The boys were extremely engaged with the issues and have come back to school full of ideas for how they can change the world! Enrichment trips like this are extremely important in our students’ development to become thoughtful, active and caring citizens in both the school and local communities. Well done to Muhammad Bosan (9Bl), Samuel Brace (9Tr), Joe Gilmour (9Am), Aaron Gumbrell (9Tr), Elliot Heath (9Sn) and Oliver Hone (9Br).
