The Boulevard Academy
Boulevard students ‘walk the walk’ to inspire next generation of climate changemakers
Research has shown that young people are more conscious than ever before about climate change and its impact.
A study conducted by the Woodland Trust in 2023 showed that seven out of 10 young people were worried about climate change.
Furthermore, a quarter of 16-24-year-olds said fears over climate change meant they may decide to have fewer children than they would otherwise like.
Fortunately, climate action is also on the rise, as young people work to create a greener future for all.
As part of our Climate Changemakers programme, students at The Boulevard Academy in Hull have been playing their part and inspiring change.
Every day is a school day
“We’ve got students taking books out of the library on climate change, and reading about it out of school,” Lydia Burton, Teacher of Science and Eco Committee Coordinator at The Boulevard Academy, said.
“Students are very aware of the impacts of climate change, and beyond that, they want to do something about it.”
Oh Yes! Net Zero sat down with Lydia at a Climate Changemakers workshop held at the University of Hull.
Run in partnership with Living with Water, students from The Boulevard Academy joined fellow Hull pupils from Kelvin Hall School and The Marvell College to learn about the importance of sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) in mitigating the risk of flooding and managing the flow of water.
The group then put their skills to the test by creating their own miniature SuDS models, going head-to-head with other schools to see who had created the most effective system.
The Boulevard Academy has become a shining light of the Climate Changemakers programme, and were recently named as winners of our challenge, which tasked schools with completing sustainable activities to earn points.
“Students are very aware of the impacts of climate change, and beyond that, they want to do something about it.”
Lydia Burton
Teacher, The Boulevard Academy
The Boulevard Academy’s Eco Committee is inspiring positive change for the planet.
Sharing words of wisdom
To give students the power to make change happen, Boulevard formed an Eco Committee to lead the school’s climate and sustainability activity.
Its impact has surpassed all expectations.
Students have been involved in a variety of projects, from litter picking and switching to reusable water bottles, to upcycling items which would otherwise have been destined for landfill.
The group have also delivered assemblies on climate change to classmates, and shared tips on simple steps to become more sustainable.
The Boulevard Academy has seen an uptake in the number of students walking or cycling to school, and the Eco Committee has designed posters to remind classmates to turn off lights and computer monitors, and recycle their waste.
“Being part of the Changemakers programme has broadened our students’ climate change knowledge,” Lydia explained.
“What we’re seeing now is students sharing that knowledge with their classmates and their families outside of school. It’s had a really big impact.”
Lydia Burton
Teacher, The Boulevard Academy
Ensuring young voices are heard
Boulevard Academy is one of six schools in Hull to receive funding from Oh Yes! Net Zero and Hull City Council to kick-start a carbon reduction programme.
With most schools having large estates with multiple buildings and facilities, being able to accurately measure and understand their energy consumption is the first step to putting a plan in place to reduce it.
The funding enables Boulevard to implement an energy management system on its site, which will highlight specific buildings and areas of the estate which are consuming high levels of energy.
Having that knowledge enables schools to focus on tackling areas which can have the biggest impact. Once a school has identified suitable projects, it can apply for grant funding to support the investments required to transition to net zero.
Paul Browning is the Pupil Engagement Development Lead at the Thrive Co-operative Learning Trust, which manages The Boulevard Academy.
He said: “Climate change is one of the things young people, including our students, are most conscious and aware of. We want to make sure their voices are heard, and that they are influencing the decisions which will have a huge impact on their future.
“It was important to us that students were at the heart of our own work to understand and reduce our environmental impact. Reaching net zero relies on everyone making the small and simple changes which, together, will make a significant contribution.”
London calling for young Changemakers
Boulevard Academy has also signed up for the Great Big School Clean – which tasks students with picking up harmful rubbish from streets, park and beaches.
The students’ commitment to sustainability saw them crowned winners of our Changemaker Challenge competition – the prize being an unforgettable trip to London to visit Westminster with Hull West and Haltemprice MP Emma Hardy.
Emma has served as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Water and Flooding since July 2024, and met with the group to find out more about their work and the positive change it has inspired at The Boulevard Academy.
Education has a crucial part to play in tackling the effects of climate change. Through Oh Yes! Net Zero, we’re helping to inspire the next generation of climate leaders.
When it comes to sustainability, the evidence is indisputable – students at The Boulevard Academy are true changemakers.
For the latest news from Oh Yes! Net Zero, visit www.ohyesnetzero.uk/news/
