The new OVO Foundation Nature Prize is giving funding to schools to help students and their communities connect with nature.
Schools were challenged to come up with their own initiatives – winning entries include plans to grow veg in an urban school with no green space, and to create gardens and spaces tailored for people with disabilities.
The competition is running in partnership with the Let’s Go Zero campaign, which is supporting UK schools to become zero carbon by 2030. Entrants were asked for ideas that would increase students’ access to nature – particularly those from less-advantaged backgrounds, as well boosting biodiversity in the school grounds and kick-starting climate action. The competition attracted nearly 200 entries.
Hannah Howard, Head of OVO Foundation said: “We want to ensure all children and young people, but especially those in underserved communities, have access to nature – and we also know that students want to be equipped with the skills, knowledge, and opportunities to protect it. Our Nature Prize, and the wider Let’s Go Zero campaign, is a brilliant catalyst for schools to kickstart climate action in school grounds and in every classroom. The winning projects will see their innovative ideas come to fruition, yet every school can gain inspiration from what’s possible with limited resources but a vision for a greener, brighter future for the next generation.”
Winning Schools
£1000 Winners
- Arbourthorne Community Primary School, Sheffield
- Djanogly Sherwood Academy, Nottingham
- Downsview Primary School, London
- North Herts Education Support Centre, Letchworth Garden City
- Northfield School and Sports College, Billingham
- Norton Free Church of England Primary School, Sheffield
- Our Lady of Peace Primary School, Glasgow
- St John’s CE Primary School, Bristol
- The Featherstone Academy, Wakefield
- Ysgol Tycroes, Ammanford
£200 winners
- Ballyholme Primary School, Bangor
- Darley Dale Primary School, Matlock
- English Martyrs’ Catholic Voluntary Academy, Derbyshire
- Falinge Park High School, Rochdale
- Greet Primary School, Birmingham
- Lockerbie Learning Centre, Lockerbie
- North Star 240, Bristol
- Northfleet Technology College, Gravesend
- Pentrehafod School, Swansea
- The Polygon School, Southampton
- Rosehall Primary School, Lairg
- Simon Langton Girls’ School, Canterbury
- St Philip Howard Catholic Voluntary Academy, Glossop
- St Leonard’s Primary School, Exeter
- St Winifred’s Primary School, London
Descriptions of all winning projects can be found on the Let’s Go Zero website but below are a few examples of projects that stood out for their inclusivity and innovation.
Projects will Star in National Let’s Go Zero Campaign
Over the coming months, the Let’s Go Zero website will share insights and updates from the winning schools as they bring their projects to life.
The OVO Foundation Nature Prize will run again in 2024, with details announced on the Let’s Go Zero Twitter feed (@LetsGo_Zero) and by email to followers of the campaign.
Find out more about the winners.
