Lostock’s Sustainability Journey
A key strand of the DfE’s Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy for Education is the expectation that every setting will demonstrate strong
sustainability leadership and develop a clear climate action plan. The strategy states: “By 2025, all education settings will have nominated a
sustainability lead and put in place a climate action plan.”
At Lostock Primary School, our nominated Sustainability Lead is our Executive Headteacher, Vicki Guest. In her wider role as Director of Primary Education for Leverhulme Academy Trust, Vicki also serves as the Trust’s Sustainability Lead. She has
developed a comprehensive three-year Sustainability Strategy and works closely with leaders across all Trust schools to create and implement
climate action plans and drive forward sustainability initiatives.
Our aims are to:
- prepare young people for a world shaped by climate change through both learning and practical experience;
- reduce direct and indirect emissions from our school buildings, providing opportunities for pupils to engage meaningfully in the transition to net zero;
- adapt our buildings and systems to meet the challenges of a changing climate; and
- enhance biodiversity, improve air quality, and increase pupils’ access to—and connection with—nature across our school grounds.
Lostock Primary School has also established a Sustainability Leadership Team, who work together to plan, deliver and review climate-related
initiatives across the school.
Our up-to-date Climate Action Plan is available here.
Achievements to date
- Attainment of the Green Flag Award with Distinction
- Winners of the Bolton MP’s Anti-Littering “Bin it for Bolton” Campaign, with pupils receiving the award in a special school assembly
- Participation in a Trust Community Litter-Pick, featured in the Bolton News
- Hosting a Sustainable Summer Fair, including a visit from the Mayor
We also take part annually in key environmental events such as: Earth Day, World Environment Day, No Mow May, Cycle to School Week and Switch Off Fortnight.
To learn more about our work, please explore our four climate action areas:
Decarbonisation, Biodiversity, Adaptation and Resilience, and Green Careers and Climate Education.
Next steps
This year, we are launching a new pupil-led Plastics Project. This cross-Trust initiative will focus on reducing, reusing and recycling
plastics in our schools, with pupils leading the way in shaping and delivering meaningful change.
Together, these actions reflect a strong and growing commitment to sustainability—driven by both staff and pupils—and align with our wider vision for responsible, resilient and future-focused education.