Five out of twenty-five winning schools that have received funding to boost nature projects on their grounds and increase students’ connection with nature, are located in the Midlands.

Any school in the UK could apply for the Nature Prize and schools in the Midlands had a high proportion of winners compared to other regions. The winning schools are in Stoke-on-Trent, Dudley, Warwick, Birmingham, and Derbyshire.

The Nature Prize, run by Let’s Go Zero, and funder OVO Foundation, has awarded schools that are engaging students with nature and supporting less advantaged children and wider communities to get involved in climate action. Let’s Go Zero is the national campaign for all UK schools, colleges and nurseries to be zero carbon by 2030, led by climate solutions charity Ashden.

Cash prizes of up to £1,000 each have been awarded to projects involving food growing, community collaboration, and outdoor learning. The projects help schools create biodiverse-rich environments for students to learn from and connect with nature.

10 schools have won £1k to undertake their nature projects (three from the Midlands), and 15 will be given £200 (two from the Midlands). The winning schools span England, Scotland and Wales. 

Su Moore, Head of OVO Foundation said: “OVO Foundation are proud to continue supporting the Nature Prize.

“Through the inventiveness and diversity of the funded projects, we're truly able to see our mission of a greener, brighter future for the next generation come to life.” Alex Green, Head of Let’s Go Zero Campaign, which is led by climate solutions charity, Ashden said: “These 25 schools have put forward incredible plans to boost the biodiversity in their schools and make sure students have beautiful places to learn, connect with nature and share with their communities.

“We were so impressed by their plans and enthusiasm and hope they inspire other schools to do the same.”

The Flooding-Resilient Playground – Coten End Primary School, Warwick: £1,000

To deal with problems of surface water flooding, Coten End Primary School in Warwick (pic) will transform their outdoor Tarmac and grass area into a rain garden.

With the prize money, they will plant diverse pollinator and wildlife-friendly plants and trees to help absorb the water as well as boost onsite biodiversity. Students from across the school, including SEND students, will be in charge of maintaining the garden and have already sought the advice of local environmental groups to find the best plant species to include.

The ‘Community Fridge’ garden - Co-op Academy Stoke-on-Trent: £1,000

Students at Co-op Academy Stoke-on-Trent are launching a ‘Grow to Give’ initiative with their prize money.

They will transform unused areas of their school grounds into vegetable and herb gardens to supply their free termly community meals and their community fridge. As well as providing healthy, fresh food for families in need, students have the chance to learn practical gardening and food-growing skills.

The Horticulture Careers Garden - Stanton Vale Special School, Long Eaton, Derbyshire: £1,000

Stanton Vale Special School will equip students with essential life skills, including growing, harvesting, and preparing food. The prize money establishes a sustainable kitchen garden, integrating curriculum and post-16 opportunities for practical learning and gaining essential life skills. 

The Bird Box Project, Dudley College: £200

A group of students from Dudley College’s Learning Difficulties and Disabilities group are eager to boost onsite wildlife and increase opportunities for engagement with nature. With the prize money, they will install a range of bat, swift and owl boxes around the campus.

The Inner-City Wildflower Meadow – Manor Park Primary Academy, Birmingham: £200

Located close to Birmingham city centre and lacking in green space, Manor Park Primary Academy is creating a wildflower meadow at the entrance to their school. Students want to include signs, educating the wider community on the importance of meadows and wildflowers, and encouraging them to consider their actions and the impact they have on the natural world. 

Let’s Go Zero and OVO Foundation bring more than 37,000 children closer to nature

The OVO Foundation Nature Prize is part of OVO Foundation’s Climate Changers programme launched in 2022.

Over the last three years, 75 schools taking climate action through the competition have brought more than 37,000 children closer to nature.  This year saw record number of entries.

OVO Foundation Nature Prize Winning schools:

£1k winners​

  • Co-op Academy Stoke-on-Trent, West Midlands  ​
  • Stanton Vale Special School, Derbyshire
  • Coten End Primary School, Warwick​
  • Bugle School, Cornwall​
  • Chestnut Park Primary School, Croydon​
  • St Elizabeth Catholic Primary School, London​
  • Parsons Heath CofE Primary School, Colchester​
  • Bridgewater Primary School, Newcastle ​
  • Blackfield Primary School, Southampton​
  • Elfed High School, Flintshire​

£200 winners ​

  • Dudley College, West Midlands
  • Manor Park Primary Academy, Birmingham​
  • Selkirk High School, Scotland​
  • Park Community Academy, Blackpool​
  • Scholes Village Primary School, West Yorkshire
  • Co-op Academy Portland, Wirral​
  • St Andrew’s CofE Primary School, Manchester​
  • Newlands Primary Academy, Ramsgate​
  • Ebbw Vale Learning Community, Ebbw Vale, Wales
  • Ysgol Bryn Deva, Connah’s Quay, Wales​
  • St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Bodmin​
  • Avenue Centre for Education, Luton​
  • Kelvin Grove Primary School, London​
  • Fawley Infant School, Southampton​
  • The James Hornsby School, Essex