NEWS NEWS... National nature prize funds green projects at 30 schools
The winners of this year’s OVO Foundation Nature Prize have been announced, with 30 schools, colleges and nurseries across the UK set to receive funding to bring their inspiring green project to life. These projects will prepare schools for floods and heatwaves, inspire pupils and give them new skills, and bring schools and communities together.
Winners include Stoke Park Primary School in Bristol, whose Eco-lead, Ms Rogers, said: “We are delighted to win this prize. The funding will enable pupils to develop practical skills by growing their own fruit and vegetables, while deepening their understanding of sustainability. The Eco Team has already begun planning the launch of a new gardening club.” Izzy is a year one pupil at Lenthall Infant and Nursery School in Derbyshire. This winning school will create a bee-friendly sensory garden, including a water play zone. Izzy says: “Bees help our flowers grow, and we want to look after them. I can’t wait to plant seeds and see the bees come to visit our garden.”
Other winners include Longshaw Primary Academy in North London, who will create a ‘living classroom’ around their school pond, complete with bird feeders and bug hotels. Another, The Kimberley School in Nottingham, will run weekend workshops at their allotment, welcoming pupils and parents as well as local community groups. Many of the projects will grow healthy, fresh food for young people and their families – or create more comfortable classrooms, using plants to create heat-absorbing ‘green walls’ and natural shading. Winning schools will receive funding of £500 to bring their project
to life. The OVO Foundation Nature Prize has taken place every year
since 2023, and is run in partnership between OVO Foundation and Let’s Go Zero. OVO Foundation is OVO Energy’s climate-focused charity, launched in 2014 to support children and young people with access to nature and climate education. Let’s Go Zero, created by climate charity
Government pledges radical expansion in rights for SEND children
Within its schools white paper Every child achieving and thriving, published on 23rd February, the government has pledged to end the one-size-fits- all education system as part of generational reforms intended to improve outcomes for children with SEND.
Currently, over 70% of children in England’s schools with additional needs, more than a million, don’t have any legally enforceable rights. In a radical expansion in rights and support for every child, there will be a new legal requirement for schools to create individual support plans (ISPs) for all children with SEND.
Every ISP will draw from a national framework of high-quality interventions that lead to the best education and life chances, personalised by the teachers and specialists who know children best.
The support ISPs set out will be easily available, without a fight, thanks to the government’s multi-billion-pound investment in services like speech and language therapy and small group teaching in schools. Education, health and care plans (EHCPs) will be retained and improved under plans in the government’s schools white paper: ‘Every child achieving and thriving’. They will offer a wider legal entitlement beyond the ISP to more intensive or complex support than schools can routinely provide.
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www.education-today.co.uk
And a triple lock of transitional protections will mean no child loses effective support already in place: • every child who has a special school place in 2029 will keep it if they want it until they finish education
• transition for children with an EHCP in mainstream who will best supported via an ISP rather than an EHCP in future will only begin from 2030 once the new inclusive mainstream system has been fully built, and only then as children naturally move between phases, like from primary to secondary
• ISPs will be in place for children who are transitioning from an EHCP before they move to the new system, so there is no break in support It comes as the white paper sets out a decade long mission to make every child and family feel engaged and included in an education system broad enough to meet all children’s needs – creating opportunity for every child to achieve, thrive and get on in life.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said: “I believe – and this government believes – that background shouldn’t mean destiny. How a child grows up shouldn’t dictate where they end up.”
March 2026
Ashden, is the campaign for all UK schools, colleges and nurseries to be zero carbon by 2030.
More than 8,600 UK schools – including all the competition winners – have signed up to the campaign. Joining is free, and brings schools benefits like tailored support from expert advisors. Let’s Go Zero also works with the government to grow national support for sustainable schools.
Alex Green, Head of Let’s Go Zero, said: “Congratulations to our winning schools. The standard of entries was fantastic, so to make the list is a real triumph. Nature-rich schools create so many benefits. They help young people stay active and healthy, and also enjoy inspiring hands-on lessons and activities. I’m delighted that the OVO Foundation Nature Prize is bringing these benefits to more communities around the UK.”
To see the full list of winners, visit: u
letsgozero.org/ovo-nature-prize-2026
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