Sustainability and Climate Change
Our Commitment to a Greener Future
At Bury Church of England Primary School, we believe that caring for God’s creation is not just a lesson—it’s a way of life.
Surrounded by the beautiful landscapes of the South Downs National Park, we are proud to help our children learn how to care for the world around them through action, curiosity, and faith.
Learning for a changing world
Our pupils learn about the environment not only in the classroom but through real experiences. As an Ambassador School for the South Downs National Park, we explore local habitats, study wildlife, and take part in outdoor projects that help pupils understand their place in a world shaped by climate change.
Projects like the John Muir Award and our much-loved Bury School Bees give children hands-on opportunities to discover how nature works—and how we can protect it.
Moving towards net zero
In September 2025, we completed a major sustainability milestone by replacing our old oil-fired heating system with air-source heat pumps, eliminating fossil fuels from our energy use.
Our next step, in partnership with the Diocese, is to install solar panels—a project that will generate more energy than we use, making Bury one of the first carbon-negative schools in our area.
These initiatives are shared with our pupils, who track energy data and explore how renewable technologies work.
A school that’s resilient and resourceful
We’re also rethinking how our school site can adapt to the changing climate. A redundant swimming pool has been transformed into a thriving wildlife pond, now home to amphibians, insects, and native plants.
Our pupils have built hibernaculums and created safe pathways for frogs and newts, learning first-hand about habitat design and conservation.
A haven for nature
Around our grounds, we’ve let parts of the field grow naturally each year, creating a mosaic of habitats. The reward has been the appearance of Bee Orchids and a growing range of wildflowers and pollinators.
We’re also proud that our Swift boxes have attracted breeding pairs—a sure sign that our skies are as welcoming as our meadows below.
Through the Bury School Bees project, pupils care for our own hives and have earned the British Beekeepers’ Association’s “Friends of the Honeybee” status.
Growing hope for the future
Every child at Bury learns that small actions can make a big difference—from recycling and reducing waste to planting seeds and protecting wildlife.
We are nurturing a generation who not only understand the science of sustainability but live out the values of stewardship, care, and community.
Together, we are growing a greener, kinder world—one child, one idea, and one Swift at a time.