Academy trust appoints biodiversity officer to boost sustainability efforts

Archway Learning Trust, an East Midlands-based Multi-Academy Trust (MAT), has made a bold step towards promoting sustainability and biodiversity by appointing a biodiversity officer.

Experienced biodiversity expert, Ben Wright has been brought on board to create tailored sustainability initiatives for each school, helping them achieve their environmental goals.

He said: “Archway is committed to giving its children the best opportunities, not just academically but to ensure we are moulding helpful and thoughtful future citizens. We’re acutely aware that a number of our children come from inner city areas and don’t have an easy access to a green space or a garden to play in. This can have wide reaching detrimental impacts on a child’s development, education and mental wellbeing.”

Operating schools in Nottingham, Derby, and Derbyshire, the Trust is focused on integrating nature into education and ensuring students engage with the environment throughout their schooling years.

So far, the Trust has created a nature garden at Bluecoat Primary Academy, and a nature pond at Bluecoat Bentinck Primary Academy, and is working on a “Rewilding Campuses” project at Bluecoat Aspley Academy aimed at restoring native plants and enhancing existing habitats.

Wright’s upcoming project includes creating a community garden at Alvaston Moor Academy, which will provide an alternative learning environment for students, helping them gain practical skills while creating a space for the local community to gather for seasonal events.

Sian Hampton, CEO at Archway Learning Trust said: “We have an over-arching goal at the Trust to engage our pupils at all ages and stages of their education with nature, as well as working towards ways we can reduce the carbon footprint of our sites across Nottingham, Derby and Derbyshire.”