Holme Grange School has held its 2nd Mock COP and, as well as using the opportunity to educate pupils on the issues of climate change, it also addressed leadership, skills, competency and empowerment. The whole school was involved for the day – students in the senior school were given the opportunity to represent a country at the mock conference, while pupils in nursery, EYFS, Pre-Prep and Prep school experienced a range of activities based on the 4 key goals being addressed at the summit in Egypt and the sustainable development goals(SDGs).
At the Mock COP conference, the country representatives put forward proposals to address different climate change issues under the categories such as Cities, Energy, Forests & Food and Oceans; these were discussed by the delegates and resolutions were determined to tackle the problems. The conference was facilitated by Michila Critchley and Laura Wallis from InterClimate Network. The outcomes were put together in a pact which was voted on and agreed by all countries. Wokingham Borough Councillor Sarah Kerr presented at the mock conference and declared a climate emergency in the borough. Sarah drew attention to the particular issues facing the borough and asked the students to help in addressing these.
Pre-prep pupils participated in a workshop from Philip Hunton, Green Up Your Act, looking at where food is sourced, how far it has travelled and how it is packaged. The pupils enjoyed getting their hands dirty planting some pea seeds using coconut husk compost. Older students were out in the forest school building dens, lighting fires using flints and then cooking a meal on the fire. Further sessions looked at deforestation and the impact on wildlife, food waste, wind turbines, fashion upcycling and building a sustainable city. The Holme Grange pact was given to Ana Romero, Head of Sustainability and Global Education Coordinator at Wellington College, and senior advisor to the Mexican delegation at COP27. Ana has now delivered the pact to the presidency of COP27.