SUSTAINABILITY
Our pupils are encouraged to embrace challenge and assert the power of their mind, voice and talent to make a positive difference in the world of tomorrow. Sustainability and the impact of climate change could not be a more critical concern in this world.
The twin pillars of the FHS sustainability agenda are: 1) reducing our own carbon footprint; and 2) educating our girls on the many aspects of the climate and ecological crisis.
Annual sustainability events include two Walk-to-School Weeks, a Fast Fashion Free Week in February, a Sustainable Food Week and our Year 9 Earthshot Prize. Through these events, talks and activities, we educate the girls about the impacts of travelling, dressing and eating unsustainably – and to promote positive alternatives such walking and cycling, second-hand clothes and plant-based meals.
Our Sustainability Prefects and Eco Reps deliver form time talks on key areas including the UN Sustainable Development Goals and air pollution, as well as launching competitions, events and initiatives to help younger pupils develop a passion for sustainability.
As well as multiple clubs, we offer enrichment options to promote sustainability. A recent example was Year 10 working closely with Global Reef, a marine conservation organisation, to design artificial reefs to combat the effects of coral damage. A crab design was chosen as the winner, and the Francis Holland Crab has now been built and is proudly sitting in the bay of Koh Tao in Thailand. It’s now part of a global research project into the resilience of coral from large-scale coral bleaching incidents.
Creative Perspectives on Climate Change
Our inaugural Creative Perspectives on Climate Change project, in partnership with the climate charity Cape Farewell, took place across the 2024-25 academic year.
The climate challenge cuts across all curriculum subjects; science, economics, mathematics, literature and the arts, and this project was truly interdisciplinary. Through interactive workshops, pupil-led campaigns and hands-on sustainability projects, we aimed to deepen pupils’ understanding of climate change and its solutions. Over the course of the year, alongside an exhibition of Cape Farewell artworks and poetry throughout the school, pupils and staff enjoyed a rich and diverse series of talks, workshops and events and produced their own unique creative work in response.
This project transformed climate education from theory to practice. Pupils not only learnt about so many different aspects and impacts of climate change but also how to apply this knowledge in real-world scenarios. By engaging in problem-solving activities, leadership opportunities and interdisciplinary projects, they developed critical thinking, teamwork, and a sense of global responsibility. Teachers also noted an increase in student curiosity and proactive discussions on environmental topics both inside and outside the classroom.
The project culminated in a dedicated exhibition in the summer, comprised of reflective artworks by over 400 contributors including our pupils, Francis Holland Prep pupils, partner primary school pupils and world-renowned artists affiliated with Cape Farewell. It was wonderful to see so many parents, pupils and staff there to marvel at the girls’ extraordinary interdisciplinary work cutting across drama, art, dance, geography, music, poetry and photography.
The blueprint we created with Cape Farewell is now being rolled out across other leading UK schools and Berkely University in the US.
