Twenty-five schools win cash for nature projects

The winners have been announced for the new OVO Foundation Nature Prize, run in partnership with the Let’s Go Zero campaign, which gives 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:

£1,000 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