Our Climate 180 Journey

Climate 180 is a project that helps schools:

• learn about climate change in simple, practical ways
• make real changes to their school grounds to help with flooding, shade and wildlife
• give pupils a strong voice in deciding and leading climate projects

At Llanedeyrn Primary, Climate 180 is part of our wider work on sustainability and our school improvement plan. Pupils are at the centre of the decisions and help to design, carry out and review each project.

The Climate 180 Crew is a group of pupils from across the school who meet regularly to lead our climate projects.

• Pupils applied or were nominated because they wanted to help the planet.
• They chose a Chair and Vice Chair to help run the meetings.
• They collected ideas from their classes about how to save energy and care for nature.
• They helped choose the first projects and checked on the impact of the work.

The Crew have talked about switching off lights, planting more greenery and making sure everyone understands why climate action matters.

One of our biggest projects was planting a long hedgerow along the school boundary.

• We planned and planted around 100 metres of hedgerow with support from Groundwork Wales and Coed Caerdydd.
• Pupils helped prepare the soil and plant native trees such as beech, hazel and hornbeam.
• Children learned how hedgerows give food and shelter to birds, insects and small animals.
• The hedgerow will also help reduce flooding, improve soil and soften the look of the metal fence.

Pupils said that the hedgerow will help bees and butterflies, give homes to animals like hedgehogs and make the school feel greener and more welcoming.

The Climate 180 Crew noticed parts of the school grounds that often became flooded and muddy. They used maps and aerial photos of the site to decide where wild grass and wildflower areas would help most.

• Pupils chose key areas such as the main entrance, the path by gate 4 and the back of the school field.
• They marked out the new wild grass zones and planned paths so that pupils could still walk and play there.
• Children from Edeyrn Base helped rake the soil and spread wild grass and flower seeds.
• The new areas are designed to soak up rainwater, reduce puddles and create habitats for insects.

Pupils were proud to say they were making places for bees, helping to stop big puddles and turning muddy corners into calmer nature spaces.

The front entrance of the school often filled with water after heavy rain. The Crew decided this should be another Climate 180 project.

• Old concrete slabs were removed where water collected near the entrance.
• Pupils helped spread bark chippings to soak up rain and improve drainage.
• New plants were added to make the area more welcoming and better for wildlife.

Children commented that the water will not sit there now, the plants make it look nicer and the bark helps soak up the rain.

Pupils have reflected on the changes they have made and what has stood out for them.

• Seeing the grass and hedges start to grow and knowing they helped to plant them.
• Learning about seeds, soil, flooding and how plants support bees and other wildlife.
• Working together outdoors and feeling proud of making a visible difference to the school.
• Understanding that small actions, such as planting and watering, can help the environment.

Our work was also recognised through a Climate 180 certificate linked to an Eco Schools initiative, which celebrated the efforts of pupils across Wales to tackle climate change.

During our final Climate 180 meeting, the children shared ideas for what they would like to focus on next year.

• More recycling bins around the school.
• Recycling in every classroom, clearly labelled.
• A pupil led recycling campaign, including posters and assemblies.

Climate 180 has helped us start our journey. We will keep building on this work through our school improvement plan and our wider sustainability projects at Llanedeyrn Primary.