Winners announced for school sustainability campaign

^{Image: Students at Coppice Valley Primary School in Harrogate jump for joy in the space that will become their ‘go-outside classroom.’}

Four winning schools across the UK have been announced as winners in the IKEA-Let's Go Zero sustainable schools’ competition.

The competition – a partnership of IKEA and the national zero carbon campaign for schools, Let’s Go Zero - was a chance for schools to win one of three sustainability product packages: a uniform swap shop, a sustainability hub, or outdoor seating and furniture. 

Alex Green, head of Let’s Go Zero said: “With 42 per cent of all UK households being home to school-aged children, the classroom is a natural place to inspire change across communities for the next generation."

She said the schools clearly showed that they can "inspire children to protect the environment, create beautiful learning spaces and provide students with vital new skills all at once.”

Schools sent in videos displaying their students' sustainability efforts and they received over 70 entries. 

The winning schools also showcased how they would use their new IKEA products, from an outdoor, nature-inspired classroom in Harrogate to a uniform swap shop in Gateshead that will double as a hub for education on the circular economy.

 Let’s Go Zero’s campaign hopes to make all 32,000 UK schools involved zero carbon by 2030. 

As part of the winning prize, the competition gave schools £1,500 of IKEA products and the opportunity to build relationships with their local IKEA stores.

The winners included Coppice Valley Primary School in Harrogate, who will transform their school grounds to create a 'go outside' classroom. 

Gateshead College will create an upcycling and repairing hub, The Wallace High School in Northern Ireland will build the eco team's sustainability space, and Stewart Fleming Primary School will launch a uniform swap shop. 

Although the IKEA competition is over, schools can take part in Let’s Go Zero’s Climate Action Countdown from 7 June to 5 July to celebrate climate action and win weekly eco prizes for their school.

 There is a pick-and-mix calendar of exciting activities from a raft of different climate charities. Schools, eco-clubs, home schoolers, students and teaching staff at all levels are invited to take part.