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Green Gorse at The Ruth Gorse Academy

The Ruth Gorse Academy is committed to becoming more environmentally sustainable to improve our environment, protect our community, reduce our carbon footprint and fight climate change. We work with our partnerships with Eco-Schools, Energy Sparks and the wider Gorse Academies Trust. In the last few years, our focus has been to increase and protect biodiversity, encourage healthy and active lifestyles, and reduce our waste; we’re proud of the progress we have made so far.

2025-2026 Aims

Energy Use

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Aim

To continue to reduce our energy use baseload (Energy Sparks support)

Recycling

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Aim

To continue to reduce the use of single use plastic within school

Active Travel

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Aim

To continue to promote active ways to travel to school to improve physical health, mental wellbeing, and reduce carbon emissions.

Our Green Gorse Eco Team and Ambassadors

Together we aim to reduce energy wastage and improve plastic recycling at The Ruth Gorse Academy. Each of us have a passion about the environment and how we, as humans, are impacting the planet.

“We want a greener school where people care about the future of this planet. We want The Ruth Gorse Academy to be a shining example of an eco-school – where students and staff work together to better our school, as well as the planet.”

Our Partnerships

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Eco Schools

The Eco-Schools programme is to unite young people to make changes and positive impacts to our planet. Pupils will have the privilege to learn about impactful environmental actions in order to make a difference in their school and local community.

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Energy Sparks

Energy Sparks helps schools become more energy efficient and help to fight climate change. The programme is designed to help schools reduce their electricity, gas usage and carbon emissions through smart meter data analysis to help in addressing the climate emergency.

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Our progress so far

Energy Use
  • Workshops delivered by Energy Sparks to our Eco Team and year 8 Geography groups.
  • Whole site audit to ascertain where we can reduce our energy use.
  • Working with our site team and staff in school to save energy where it’s not needed.
  • Promoted saving energy with staff and students.
  • Signs and reminders to encourage staff and students to switch off devices when not in use.
Recycling
  • Continuing use of green recycling bins in every classroom, communal areas, and office locations around the school for paper waste.
  • Created a recycling point outside DH1, to collect empty, used plastic bottles and recycle.
  • Working with teams in school to reduce our use of single use plastic.
  • Eco tokens awarded to corresponding Houses for contribution to plastic recycling.
  • Eco team completed Greenpeace the Big Plastic Count.
Carbon Emissions
  • Working with Active Travel to teach students about eco friendlier ways to travel.
  • Bikeability workshops completed with KS3 students.
  • Wild-flower meadow planted within the academy grounds.
  • Bug Hotel installed.
  • Living wall adopted by Green Gorse Gardening Club.

Fill each bin with your empty water bottles. Every time the bin has been filled, you will win 250 points for your House!