A nature comp for schools

UK schools’ nature competition opens to give biodiversity and children a boost

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Published: October 14, 2024
This Article was written by: Katie Hill - My Green Pod
biodiversity, climate action, competition, education, kids, learning, nature, schools

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Schools around the UK have the chance to connect their students with nature and inspire them to take climate action, by applying to win an annual prize that will be launched this month.

The nature competition, run by Let’s Go Zero with support from OVO Foundation, will give schools the chance to win 10 prizes of £1,000 and 15 prizes of £200 to fund nature-related projects in their schools, with a total of £13,000 for sustainable projects up for grabs.

To apply for one of the prizes, schools simply have to explain how they’d like to bring students closer to nature.

‘Schools are key places to enact and inspire change in the next generation as well as the wider community, so this competition is a great boost to schools to put their ideas into action.

‘We want schools to apply to this competition to help them to connect students to nature, boost biodiversity, create beautiful places for children to play and learn, and kickstart climate action. This is a great opportunity to get everyone working together to make something beautiful and educational, whilst having fun in the process. They’ll also be joining Let’s Go Zero, which offers them a whole range of free support on their zero carbon journey.’

ALEX GREEN
Head of Let’s Go Zero

The 2025 OVO Foundation Nature Prize opens today (14 October) and the deadline for applications is Monday 25 November. Winners will be announced in Feb 2025.

Installing a willow dome

Planting vegetables, creating outdoor learning spaces or building bug hotels are just some of the ways schools can encourage nature in the school grounds, but the possibilities are endless, and schools are encouraged to be as creative as possible in their entries.

Schools considering entering the competition can look to previous years’ winners for inspiration.

The competition isn’t just about protecting nature, so schools can propose projects that are connected to food, adaptation and resilience, water, culture or managing waste, too.

For instance, 2024 OVO Foundation Nature Prize winner in Watford, Kingswood Nursery School, has installed a willow dome in the playground since their win in February, giving students a tranquil and shaded area to play and explore.

‘Since the installation, our willow dome has become quite the feature of our garden; children, parents and staff all comment on it and are keen to explore inside! The dome is so open ended-the children love using it for picnics, a music space, experimenting with craft materials or just to seek a quiet place in the garden, where they lie back and stare at the sky.’

MS MACDONALD
Headteacher, Kingswood Nursery School

Transforming playgrounds

Another 2024 winner, Nether Edge Primary School in Sheffield, has used its £1,000 prize money to transform a disused corner of the playground into a thriving garden.

As well as increasing students’ opportunities for outdoor learning and nature connection, this will also make the school itself more resilient to unpredictable and extreme weather.

Adding dedicated shading areas, native species and drought-resistant plants are innovative and much-needed ways of adapting to the worsening impacts of climate change.

‘We are thrilled to be in our third year of the OVO Foundation Nature Prize, having seen the brilliant ideas that have come to fruition across the UK already. Giving children and young people hands-on experience while supporting schools to deliver their innovative nature and climate projects and embed more sustainable practice really brings our mission of a greener, brighter future for the next generation to life.’

HANNAH HOWARD
Head of OVO Foundation

A reaching impact

Judges for the 2025 OVO Foundation Nature Prize will be particularly looking for projects whose impact reaches beyond the school gates.

Schools can invite members of the community, local businesses or other schools in to learn about, or take part in, their nature projects as part of widening the project’s impact.

Judges are also keen to see applications from schools in areas particularly vulnerable to climate impacts.

Schools can apply with video applications or use the written application form.

Judges will look for creative and engaging ideas with the power to inspire young people and the wider school community, with a focus on including less advantaged groups.