Sustainability
At Stoke Newington School, sustainability is more than a goal - it's a responsibility.
Our commitment to sustainability
At our school, sustainability is more than a goal - it's a responsibility. As a London community, we recognise our role in shaping environmentally conscious young people who understand the impact of their choices and feel empowered to contribute positively to the world around them. We are committed to reducing our environmental footprint, embedding sustainable practice across the school, and inspiring our students to do the same.
Solar panels: clean energy for a cleaner future
As part of our long‑term sustainability strategy, we recently partnered with Stokey Energy to install solar panels across the school roof. Stokey Energy is a community‑led renewable energy cooperative based in Stoke Newington, committed to transforming local buildings - including schools, theatres, sports centres, and community venues - into solar “powerhouses.” Their mission is to make Hackney more climate‑friendly by helping organisations cut carbon emissions and reduce energy bills through high‑quality, low‑cost solar and renewable solutions. Our solar installation builds on Stokey Energy’s established track record of delivering impactful local projects; in fact, their very first major installation was at Stoke Newington School in 2021, helping kickstart broader community‑energy investment across the borough.
The importance of this work has been recognised at the highest levels. Sadiq Khan and Ed Miliband visited Stoke Newington School to see the solar panels first‑hand as part of London’s wider Net Zero Schools initiative, highlighting Stokey Energy’s role in demonstrating how community‑led renewable energy can be scaled across the city. In addition, Mete Coban, London’s Deputy Mayor for Environment, has visited Stokey Energy’s flagship community energy project at St Paul’s Church in Hackney to understand how grassroots renewable innovation can shape both local and national policy. This investment in school‑based clean energy allows us to generate a substantial portion of our electricity from a renewable source, significantly reducing our carbon footprint and providing students with a living, learning example of sustainability in action.
Sustainability in the curriculum
Sustainability is woven throughout our curriculum so that students gain not only knowledge but also a deep sense of environmental responsibility.
Across subjects, we explore themes such as:
- Climate change and environmental science
- Ethical and sustainable design in Technology and Art
- Global citizenship in Humanities
- The impact of consumption and waste in Business and PSHE
- Through cross‑curricular projects, workshops, and eco‑focused enrichment activities, we equip students to think critically about environmental issues and take meaningful action.
Our school also empowers students to drive change directly through our team of Sustainability Ambassadors. These dedicated pupils help shape whole‑school environmental initiatives, champion eco‑friendly behaviour, and act as role models within the student community. Our ambassadors attended the North London Sustainability Conference, where student representatives from schools across the region come together to share ideas, showcase projects, and take part in expert‑led workshops on climate action and environmental leadership. The conference provides a valuable platform for young people to collaborate, gain new insights, and bring innovative ideas back to our school.
Our students also organise regular sustainability poster and audio-visual campaigns, as well as host a pre-loved uniform sale at all of our major community events.
Second‑hand uniform: reducing waste and supporting families
To further reduce waste and promote a circular approach to resource use, the school offers a second‑hand uniform service. Good‑quality donated items are available to parents and carers throughout the year at significantly reduced cost - or sometimes free of charge. We strongly encourage families to make use of this sustainable option, which not only reduces textile waste but also helps keep uniform costs affordable for our school community. Donations of outgrown but reusable uniform are always warmly welcomed.
Sustainable procurement and daily operations
Our commitment to sustainability extends to the way we manage our resources. Sustainability is a key consideration in our procurement strategy, ensuring that the products and services we purchase reflect our environmental values.
We prioritise suppliers and contractors who:
- Demonstrate strong environmental credentials
- Provide recyclable, reusable, or low‑waste products
- Minimise plastic and packaging
- Follow ethical and environmentally sound manufacturing processes
- Our daily operations also emphasise reducing waste, conserving energy, promoting recycling, and encouraging greener travel choices among students and staff.
A culture of responsibility
We believe sustainability works best when it becomes part of a school’s identity. From student‑led eco initiatives to whole‑school environmental events, we aim to create a culture where every member of the community feels responsible for protecting our planet. By taking practical steps today, we are helping to build a greener, more sustainable future for the generations of tomorrow.