From bug hotels to climate research: Oasis Academy Lord's Hill secures Eco-Schools Green Flag award

Students at Oasis Academy Lord's Hill in Southampton are celebrating after earning the prestigious Eco-Schools Green Flag Award, recognising their outstanding commitment to environmental action and sustainability. 

The award follows a year of student-led projects designed to improve the academy environment, promote sustainable practices and encourage positive environmental change. The achievement reflects the academy's commitment to empowering young people to become responsible citizens who make a positive difference in their communities. 

The internationally recognised Eco-Schools programme encourages young people to lead environmental action within their schools and beyond. To achieve Green Flag status, students identified key environmental priorities, developed solutions and successfully delivered a range of impactful initiatives throughout the academic year. 

Among the projects completed were litter-picking campaigns across the academy site, helping to create a cleaner environment while encouraging students to take pride in their surroundings and wider community. 

Students also designed and built bug hotels using recycled materials, creating valuable habitats for insects and supporting biodiversity across the academy grounds. 

A particular highlight was a sustainable growing project delivered in partnership with the University of Southampton. Working alongside researchers, students developed growing areas and planted drought-resistant crops as part of an environmental study focused on climate resilience and sustainable food production. 

The hands-on project enabled students to contribute to meaningful research while developing a greater understanding of environmental challenges and the role they can play in creating solutions. 

The Green Flag Award recognises the positive impact students have made throughout the year and celebrates their dedication to protecting and improving the environment. 

Eve Nicholas, Teacher of Geography and Project Lead at Oasis Academy Lord's Hill, said: 

"We are incredibly proud of our students and everything they have achieved. The Green Flag Award reflects the enthusiasm, determination and environmental awareness they have shown throughout the year. From improving our school grounds to contributing to scientific research, they have demonstrated that young people can make a real difference to the world around them." 

"This is a fantastic milestone, but it is only the beginning. Our students are already planning new projects to further enhance biodiversity, reduce waste and expand our growing programme. It is wonderful to see their passion for sustainability and their desire to support the wider school community." 

At Oasis Academy Lord's Hill, students are encouraged to develop their interests, take on leadership opportunities and make a positive contribution to society. Through initiatives like Eco-Schools, young people can put the Oasis ethos into action, demonstrating stewardship, responsibility and a commitment to creating a better future for all. 

Following their Green Flag success, students are already looking ahead to next year, with plans to expand the academy's growing programme and build on the environmental initiatives that have made such a positive impact across the school community.