News & Stories

Over the past month our Good Life Schools project has been holding celebration events across the country, celebrating the fantastic ways that students have led projects creating change and challenging the pressure to consume in the communities since the beginning of the school year.

“The Good Life Schools Summits have been a truly special celebration of youth leadership and teamwork. This programme helps students navigate the pressures of consumer culture and reimagine ways of living and learning. Over the past month, we’ve seen young people connecting, sharing ideas and celebrating what matters to them and their communities. What struck me most was the spirit of solidarity between the schools, the way they were celebrating each other’s projects and seeking out ways to collaborate, rather than compete, was so refreshing. Thank you to our partners for making these gatherings possible. It has been a joyful time for everyone involved!”
Claire Arnott, Head of Good Life Schools

From a uniform repair service to a peace garden, and from growing fruit and veg for use in the school and local community to hosting a more sustainable prom celebration, students from KTS Academy Brotton, Outwood Academy Redcar, St Peter’s Catholic College South Bank and Huntcliff School came together to share their achievements as part of the Good Life Schools programme in the North East.

Read more on the Redcar and Cleveland event

Over in South Wales, supported by Carmarthenshire County Council, Ysgol Maes Y Gwendraeth, Queen Elizabeth High School and Ysgol Bro Dinefwr ran stalls and celebrated their Good Life Schools work, showcasing examples of their willow weaving chill out area and biodegradable seed packs. Community partners ran activities including a plastic-smithing workshop and a pedal-powered disco blasting Welsh pop!

Read more about the Carmarthenshire event

Sheffield Hallam University hosted Meadowhead Schools, King Ecgbert School and High Storrs School at the Summit, supported by Sheffield City Council. Students screen printed t-shirts, showcased shoe-cleaning kits and planted compostable pots with wildflowers.

Read more about the sheffield event

Supported by Leicester City Council, Sir Jonathan North Girls’ College and Ellesmere College came together to showcase their work investigating food waste and the hidden harms of the cosmetic industry. Ellesmere College displayed their smoothie bikes -showing others how they have been able to use seemingly inedible fruit such as overripe bananas and turn them into a healthy smoothie as a way of reducing food waste.

Read more about the Leicester event

We also held an online national summit, which was a powerful reminder that our worth and happiness isn’t defined by what we own or what we buy. The Good Life Schools changemakers have shown that it’s possible (and joyful) to live and learn together in ways that put people and planet first. Explore for yourself and watch the Good Life Schools National Summit on replay here.

Watch online now

A huge thank you to all of our young changemakers for their hard work, as well as our local authority and community partners for their support and the role they have played in making the Good Life School Summits possible.