Yesterday evening we hosted our annual National Conservation Education Awards. The awards recognise those who go above and beyond to educate and empower the next generation about conservation; celebrating excellence across the whole education sector.
The Awards ceremony was hosted in The Square, where we were joined by our shortlisted nominees and a number of invited guests from across the zoo and education sector including our Chair of Trustees and representatives from our Curriculum Advisory Panel and Youth Board.
We’re delighted to share with you the winners of our 2024 awards and their stories.
2024 Outstanding Conservation Educator
Winner: Pat Link – Neston High School
In recognition of the work he undertakes in school and with the wider community to embed conservation and sustainability messages at the heart of his work.
Neston High School stands as a beacon of innovation and excellence in STEAM education, led by the visionary leadership of Pat Link, the Head of STEAM, equipping students with the skills and knowledge to thrive in the modern world. One flagship initiative is the plastic recycling project, which addresses environmental concerns and serves as a powerful educational tool.
2024 Outstanding Conservation Initiative – Primary School
Winner: Ysgol y Waun
In recognition of the work they have done engaging their local community and transforming unused space into a large sensory garden consisting of five raised garden beds. The research, planning and design of the garden has been built into the curriculum, with plans produced & a wall mounted display created to celebrate their work.
The management of the garden is the responsibility of the pupils. Their plan is that they will harvest their produce and sell to community members. Funds raised will be reinvested into the garden making it sustainable for the future. These activities will be built into the curriculum going forwards with pupils tracking and recording their harvest, identifying those plants that have not done well and researching future crops.
2024 Outstanding Conservation Initiative – Secondary School or College
Winner: Ysgol Clywedog – Ysgol Clywedog Eco-Taskforce
In celebration of the amazing work of their Eco-Taskforce. The winners of Outstanding Conservation Initiative are Ysgol Clywedog. The Eco-Taskforce was set up in 2019 as pupils were showing a real concern for the state of the environment but feeling disempowered to do anything about it.
A group of students known as the founders set to work turning a disused old sports field into a haven for biodiversity. Not only are the group focused on rewilding and boosting local biodiversity, they also make educational videos with schools in Melilla, Spain and Lebanon, doing TEDx talks on the need for pollinators and banning pesticides.
The group has a motto ‘Ysgol Clywedog Eco-Taskforce – 2019 until we get the job done’!
2024 Outstanding Conservation School – Primary School
Winner: St Mary’s CiW VA School
The setting was one of the first in Wales to embrace the concept of Forest School and Outdoor Learning. They are currently developing their curriculum which is individual to the school. It has child-centred learning at it’s core, with pupils encouraged to lead the method of learning and finding out more about topics.
Using ‘The Lost Words’ by Robert Macfarlane as curriculum inspiration, children are learning more about the natural world, different species and conservation throughout the school. With each year group focusing on a different area of biodiversity and species conservation.
St Mary’s is a wonderful school which makes pupils eager to learn about the world around them.
2024 Outstanding Conservation School – Secondary School or College
Winner: Hathershaw College
In recognition of their work supporting students to lead conservation initiatives both at a local and global level; championing work on behalf of the school trust, exemplified by the recent hosting of their inaugural eco-conference, symbolising their collective commitment to the environment and strengthening their community’s bond over shared ecological goals.
Hathershaw College’s Eco Committee is not just a group of students; they are young leaders, educators, and activists, passionately fighting for a sustainable future and they are planning an assembly for their school peers about climate change and the ways we can all work together on this important issue. Their initiatives, from local clean-ups to global awareness campaigns, embody the spirit of conservation and sustainability that Chester Zoo’s Outstanding Conservation School Award seeks to recognise.
Greener Futures Certificate
- St.Theresa’s Catholic Primary School
- The Arches Community Primary School
- Highfield Primary School
- Lache Primary School
- St.Clare’s Catholic Primary School
Led by each school’s Wildlife Champion Teachers, these schools have worked to connect their students to nature, and inspire them to take action for wildlife. They have all worked with the zoo and supported our Schools Engagement Officer to deliver wildlife assemblies, classroom workshops and Family Wildlife Clubs – huge thanks to all for their ongoing support!
Highly Commended
Conservation Educator
- Frankie Ankers
- Nick Brown
- Rebecca Liggett
- Stephanie Davies
- Ted Guest
Conservation Initiative – Primary
- Elmridge Primary School
- Rushbrook Primary Academy
Conservation Initiative – Secondary
- Blacon High School
- Ellesmere Port Catholic High School
Highly Commended
Conservation School – Primary
- Chester Bluecoat CE School
- Pelsall Village School
Conservation School – Secondary
- Neston High School
- Upton-by-Chester High School
Congratulations to all our highly commended nominees and award winners. We look forward to celebrating further successes with the National Conservation Education Awards in 2025