Red Kite Sustainability Board
At Red Kite Learning Trust, we are committed to making a positive impact on the environment and taking steps towards becoming a net-zero organisation as soon as possible. We are committed to taking meaningful action on sustainability, within our schools and across our wider communities. We know that schools are uniquely placed to influence positive change, and we believe that by working together we can create a better, greener future for all.
We’ve created a Sustainability Board which met twice in 2024-25 and produced a sustainability charter and strategy.
A Strategy for Change
Our Sustainability Strategy sets out our roadmap to becoming a net-zero organisation as soon as possible. It defines eight key areas of focus that cover all aspects of sustainability in school life:
-
Energy Usage
-
Travel
-
Waste Management and Recycling
-
Water
-
Healthy Living
-
Sustainable Procurement and Consumption
-
Biodiversity and Outdoor Learning
-
Stakeholder Engagement and Community Partnerships
This strategy is not only about reducing our carbon footprint, but also about improving the daily experiences of our school communities. Acting on climate leads to lower energy bills, healthier food, cleaner air, and better learning environments. It also empowers our children and young people with a sense of agency and hope in the face of the climate crisis.
Introducing the Sustainability Charter
To bring our strategy to life in a practical and engaging way, we’ve launched the Red Kite Learning Trust Sustainability Charter. The Charter is a collection of simple, impactful actions that pupils, staff, and school communities can take to become more sustainable, aligned with the eight focus areas of our strategy.
Each action is scored using a points-based system:
-
1 point – Good
-
3 points – Great
-
5 points – Exceptional
-
10 points – Outstanding
Schools are encouraged to take on as many actions as they can throughout the year, tracking their progress each term. At the end of the academic year, schools submit their final scores and receive a Sustainability Charter Certification in recognition of their efforts and impact.
Inspiring Action Across Communities
Our aim is not just to transform practice within our schools, but to act as a spark for community-wide action. By involving students, colleagues, families, and local partners, we want sustainability to become embedded in everyday decisions and inspire long-term cultural change.
We’re proud of the steps we’re taking, and prouder still of the enthusiasm and innovation our schools are showing in response. Through collective effort and shared responsibility, Red Kite Learning Trust is creating more sustainable school environments that support both learning and long-term environmental impact.
Collaboration with our Youth Board
We believe that young people are key drivers of change, and their voices are essential in shaping our sustainability initiatives. That’s why we work closely with our Red Kite Youth Board, providing a platform for students to share their ideas, influence decision-making, and play an active role in creating a more sustainable future. Through this collaboration, we empower the next generation to take ownership of environmental issues and help bring innovative, pupil-led solutions to life.
Our Commitment in Action
We are proud signatories of the Let’s Go Zero campaign, demonstrating our dedication to achieving zero carbon emissions across our schools. This commitment drives our ongoing efforts to reduce energy consumption, improve biodiversity, and empower our pupils to become future sustainability leaders.
Through the Sustainability Board and our partnership with the Youth Board, we are working together to create healthier, greener, and more sustainable learning environments for generations to come.