Sustainability Week at The Lyceum School
Sustainability is all about making choices today that protect the environment for tomorrow. It includes reducing waste, conserving natural resources, protecting wildlife, and taking responsibility for the impact of our actions on the planet. Teaching children about sustainability is vital because it helps them develop awareness, responsibility, and the skills to make positive choices for the environment from an early age. By embedding these values in everyday learning, we empower children to become thoughtful and active global citizens.
A week of action and awareness
Last month, The Lyceum School celebrated Sustainability Week with a wide range of engaging activities designed to inspire our young learners to care for the planet. The week began with children sharing their thoughts on protecting our environment. Pupils highlighted key messages such as stopping littering, reducing plastic waste, and caring for animals and plants. Listening to their peers’ perspectives encouraged children to reflect on their own actions and understand the importance of sustainable choices. Watch the video here.
New Eco Council takes the lead
The newly formed Eco Council held their first meeting of the academic year. The children brought forward innovative ideas to improve sustainability at school, from composting food waste to tackling plastic pollution. The council is already showing impressive leadership and commitment to making a difference.
Community litter pick
The Eco Council took their initiatives beyond the classroom by heading out into the local area for a litter pick. Thanks to the lovely autumn weather, the street food market was busy, which unfortunately led to more litter in the area. The children worked diligently to clean up the streets, demonstrating that even small actions can have a meaningful impact. This was the first of many community litter picks planned for the year.
Eco Depot: reducing single-use plastics
After school, the Year 6 Eco Depot team reopened their shop in the Courtyard for the first time this academic year. Both returning and new customers visited, helping reduce the use of single-use plastics. Each refill represents a small but significant contribution to a greener future. The next Eco Depot opening will take place just before the October half-term.
Bicycle Club and Bikers Breakfast
Sustainability isn’t just about waste reduction; it’s also about greener ways to travel. The Lyceum’s Bicycle Club encourages children and families to choose cycling as a sustainable and healthy mode of transport. We hosted our first ever Bikers Breakfast, which was a huge success. Many children and staff arrived on their bikes, and professional mechanics were on hand to service every bike that came through the gates. While their bikes were checked, pupils enjoyed a variety of breakfast snacks, creating a fun and social start to the day.
The Bikers Breakfast also marked an important moment for our newly appointed Junior Road Safety Officers (JRSOs). They met Max Moorcock from Hackney and received their high-visibility jackets along with essential JRSO equipment. Through these roles, children help promote road safety and encourage more families to cycle to school, linking directly to the school’s wider sustainability goals.
Initiatives like the Bicycle Club and Bikers Breakfast demonstrate that sustainable travel can be enjoyable and rewarding. By choosing to cycle, families reduce their carbon footprint, build healthy habits, and support cleaner streets and a greener local environment.
The Lyceum School’s staff support
Sustainability Week at The Lyceum School was supported by staff including Sara Taggaty (Deputy) and Mackenzie Graden (Year 1 and Head of Sustainability). Their guidance ensures children’s initiatives are safe, impactful, and integrated into school life.
How parents can support sustainability at home
Sustainability education doesn’t stop at school. Parents can reinforce these lessons at home in a few very simple ways:
- Reduce single-use plastics: Encourage children to use reusable bottles, lunch containers, and shopping bags.
- Recycle and compost: Show children how to separate recyclables and compost food waste.
- Go on nature walks: Teach children to appreciate local wildlife and care for plants.
- Involve children in meal planning: Let them help choose meals that minimise food waste.
- Encourage active travel: Walking or cycling to school supports sustainability and healthy habits.
By modelling these behaviours and involving children in decision-making, parents help instil lasting eco-conscious habits.
Looking ahead
Sustainability Week is just the beginning. Through the Eco Council, litter picks, the Eco Depot, and the Bicycle Club, The Lyceum School is embedding sustainability into everyday learning. By empowering children to take action and encouraging families to make small changes at home, we nurture the next generation of environmentally conscious citizens who understand that every choice counts.
About The Lyceum School
The Lyceum School is a place where every child is cherished, known, and celebrated. Situated in the vibrant heart of the City of London, our school offers a nurturing, co-educational environment founded on the pillars of kindness, creativity, confidence, and community. We inspire a deep love of learning through an engaging, topic-based curriculum using London as our classroom, enriched by STEAM, language, arts, and wellbeing-focused initiatives like mindfulness and yoga.
With small class sizes, high staff-to-pupil ratios, and a strong pastoral framework, including our House System and accessible pastoral support, we prioritise each child’s personal growth just as much as academic success.
Located near Old Street, Liverpool Street, Moorgate and Shoreditch stations, our modern, light-filled five-storey building with specialist art, science, STEAM studios and outdoor space provides a dynamic setting that’s seamlessly integrated with London’s rich cultural resources. At The Lyceum, learning comes alive every day, preparing children to become confident, compassionate, and curious individuals ready to contribute positively to the world.
Attend Our Open Day
Curious about life at The Lyceum? Come see it for yourself. Join one of our Open Days to explore our modern building, meet our lovely staff and feel the energy of our school community. You’ll get a real sense of what makes our independent co-ed school so special.
Can’t make it to an Open Day? No problem. Just contact our team to book a private tour.
📧 Email: registrar@lyceumschool.co.uk 📞 Phone: +44 (0)20 7247 1588
