IKEA x Let’s Go Zero Competition

Christ the King Sixth Form, London

Students and staff at Christ the King Sixth Form won materials and help from IKEA to transform one of their buildings into a dedicated Eco Hub. IKEA kitted the space out with movable furniture and storage so students can take their learning from indoors to outdoors as needed.

The hub has tables and seating that can be easily moved or packed away, to accommodate groups of different sizes. IKEA also provided innovative storage solutions, such as their pegboard with detachable baskets and containers, and their wheeled-trolleys.

With their newly dedicated space and equipment, students have been taking part in a fantastic array of activities, from a Fairtrade themed quiz and coffee morning, to making recycled Christmas decorations. As part of their Edible Garden project, students have been using the space to prepare and plant seedlings, and have so far successfully grown an impressive variety of fruit and veg.

Opening the Eco Hub to the wider community and other local schools was a key part of their plans and, over the last 18 months, the space has become a community hot spot. In celebration of World Bee Day 2023, they hosted a Wonder of Bees Workshop in the hub and invited along members of Catford’s Diamond Club – a social club for over 60s that aims to reduce social isolation and promote wellbeing. Attendees had a chance to learn about beekeeping, inspect the hives and taste some honey.

“The first thing the students at Christ the King Sixth forms would like to say is again a big thank you again to the Let’s Go Zero and IKEA teams for choosing us as the winners of the competition. We were so excited to see the Eco Hub space and be able to use this space this year for our eco projects. We chose the topics of Health and Biodiversity this year. The eco hub enabled us to share our ideas and encourage our community to join us on our journey towards sustainability.”

CTK’s Student Eco Group

Having a dedicated space for all things sustainability has boosted the school’s eco-work and helped to embed sustainability into the school’s fabric. Practically, the new space and equipment has made it easier to organise things, particularly when external community groups come in. Students have also been particularly inspired by the space – after taking part in some of the work done in the Eco-Hub, one student was inspired to enter the Greenpeace Climate Change Competition. Christ the King Sixth Form plan to continue with their fantastic community driven eco-work, and their new Eco-Hub will benefit students for years to come.