West Cumbrian students have been taken part in the Leading Change programme, and we couldn’t be more impressed!
Through our collaboration with Sellafield Ltd, funded by Sellafield SiX, and supported by local business mentors, we’re empowering schools and colleges across West Cumbria to lead change in their communities.
The students presented their campaign ideas to panels made up of professionals from local businesses and organisations, receiving invaluable feedback to help them refine and develop their plans.
The programme continues until the end of the academic year with campaigns having a lasting impact beyond this time.
Here’s a look at the schools sustainability campaigns and pitches:
West Lakes Academy
Presented to:
Campaign idea:
“Our campaign is about reducing the amount of waste present at the academy and making sure to give back to the environment.At the moment, we are facing problems such as people discarding their food as waste onto the floor which makes a mess, causing the school to look untidy and making a slip hazard. It also wastes perfectly good food that could of been fully eaten of used instead of being wasted. Our anti-waste campaign will have not only an ecological benefit to our school but also a financial benefit. Along with this the dropped food has also been attracting seagulls, which are an annoying problem at this school, with many reporting their food being stolen and also having the seagulls patrolling the yard waiting for wasteful people to drop their food. The physical building has also been affected by food waste (with it not only looking untidy that was mentioned before) but making it unpleasant to go to certain places in school, such as the stairs or the toilet area.”
Business Mentor:
Supported by volunteer and business mentors Ewan Dineen from Sellafield and Oliver Steele from NWS
Millom School
Presented to:
Campaign idea:
“One Bottle at a Time” is their campaign to tackle litter at school and promote a cleaner, more sustainable environment. With ongoing building work, they see a chance to improve bin placement and encourage better habits. In the short term, they aim to reduce litter, add indoor bins, and improve access in busy areas. Long term, they hope to shift mindsets, promote sustainability, and gradually introduce a school-wide recycling scheme.
Business Mentor:
Supported by volunteer and business mentors Shane Gopee from BAE systems and Anna Todd from NWS.
St Joseph’s Catholic High School – Year 7 and Year 9 Group
Presented to:
Campaign idea:
Students have launched a sustainability campaign to improve the wellbeing and physical health of Year 7 students by redeveloping the Year 7 yard at St. Joseph’s. The aim is to make the outdoor area more inclusive, fun, and engaging for all Year 7 pupils. Creating a more welcoming and supportive space will contribute to a positive school environment and help ease the transition from primary to secondary school.
Business Mentor:
Supported by volunteer and business mentor Kaitlin Richardson from Balfour Beatty Kilpatrick.
Netherhall School – Year 9 Form
Presented to:
Campaign idea:
Students have launched a sustainability campaign to create a mindfulness garden – a calm, safe space for students to visit when they are feeling low, need time to relax, or simply want to enjoy their break and lunch in a peaceful environment. The project aims to support mental wellbeing and offer a quiet retreat within the school grounds.
Business Mentor:
Supported by volunteer and business mentors Shane Evitts and John Connell from Stobbarts.
Keswick School – Year 12 Students
Presented to:
Campaign idea:
Students have launched a sustainability campaign to reduce plastic waste in their school by introducing a new reusable, branded water bottle. The initiative encourages students to ditch single-use plastics in favour of a more sustainable, long-term solution that promotes environmental awareness across the school community.
Business Mentor:
Supported by volunteer and business mentors Mark Davis from NESMA and Lisa Ingram from Sir Robert McAlpine.
St. Benedict’s School – Student Group
Presented to:
Campaign idea:
Students have launched a sustainability campaign focused on Global Goals 14 and 15 – Life Below Water and Life on Land – through the development of a local pond. By reintroducing biodiversity to the area, the project aims to attract wildlife and inspire the local community to get involved in maintaining the pond, helping to restore and protect the local ecosystem.
“We aim to primarily follow global goals 14 and 15 (life below water and life on land). This will be done through the development of a local pond. We would like to do this as if we begin to reintroduce biodiversity to the area, it may encourage more local people to assist in maintaining a good standard for the pond in turn re-introducing wildlife to the area.”
Business Mentor:
Supported by volunteer and business mentors Joe Moore from Sellafield and Pauline Fairburn from Altrad Babcock.
Energy Coast UTC
Presented to:
Campaign idea:
Students at Energy Coast UTC have launched a sustainability campaign called Leaf Lane, aiming to create a mindfulness garden that supports mental wellbeing and encourages biodiversity. The garden will feature rainwater harvesting, raised planters with seating, and a range of plants chosen to thrive year-round. Designed and managed by student teams, the project promotes environmental responsibility while creating a calm, inclusive space for the school community.
Business Mentor:
Supported by volunteer and business mentors Michael Jordan from Sellafield Ltd and Phil Duerdin from Cumberland Council.
St Benedict’s Catholic High School
Presented to:
Campaign idea:
Students have launched a sustainability campaign focused on Global Goals 14 and 15 – Life Below Water and Life on Land – through the development of a local pond. By reintroducing biodiversity to the area, the project aims to attract wildlife and inspire the local community to get involved in maintaining the pond, helping to restore and protect the local ecosystem.
Business Mentor:
Supported by volunteer and business mentors Joseph Moore from Sellafield Ltd and Pauline Fairbairn from Altrad.
Lakes College – Business Students
Presented to:
Campaign idea:
Level 2 Business students at Lakes College have launched “No Filter”, a campaign highlighting the impact of online bullying and grooming on young people’s mental health. Aimed at educating parents and schools, it shares real stories and advice to raise awareness, promote online safety, and encourage action to help protect others.
Business Mentor:
Supported by volunteer and business mentors Paul Rodda, Stephen Pettit, Emily Allison and Ellie Reid from LEL and Jake Huddleston from Atos.
Lakes College – Foundation Year
Campaign idea:
Foundation Year students at Lakes College have launched a sustainability campaign by creating a sensory garden that supports mental health, wellbeing, and local biodiversity.
Business Mentor:
Supported by volunteer and business mentor Geoff Norman from CDEC.
Always Another Way – LQBTQ+ Group
Campaign idea:
An LGBTQ+ youth group is launching a sustainability campaign focused on gender equality. Prompted by recent legal developments, the group aims to raise awareness of how gender definitions can affect different communities, particularly trans people. They will be selling items at Pride on the Harbourside this August to encourage conversation and promote inclusivity.
Business Mentor:
Supported by volunteer and business mentors from Always Another Way
We’re so proud of the creativity, care, and leadership shown by these incredible students.
