This week, we received the exciting news that we are finalists in the Education Choices Awards 2025 for Supporting Sustainability. The awards, run by Education Choices Magazine, receive a high number of entries each year from across the UK.

Our work with sustainability demonstrates consistent commitment to environmental protection, emphasising the use of our Grade II listed Park & Garden site in the education and wellbeing of students of all ages. This academic year alone, with the help of pupils in the Prep, our Estates team planted 60 mature trees, 200 native saplings, and over 100 meters of hedgerow across the School site. Many of the new trees were planted to create a wildflower wellbeing garden, known as ‘St Francis Woodland’.

Led by our Eco Council, many School initiatives promote making simple long-term changes to support sustainability, such as recycling initiatives, Switch Off Fortnight, and growing herb gardens for our Cookery lessons. Work with charities such as The Wilderness Foundation and Chelmsford Foodbank helps to directly support the local community, having donated 588kg of food from our World Food Day and Harvest Festivals collections. These are complemented by an institutional approach to recycling, renewable energy and green travel, including a solar-panel and renewable energy-run building unveiled in 2023, and a 2024 transition to a fleet of electric company cars and a fleet of School bikes for boarders’ and staff use.

We are delighted that our work in sustainability and ecology is being recognised once again, having received our Woodland Trust Green Schools Platinum Award a month prior. New Hall remains steadfast in its commitment to sustainability, continually evolving its approach to empower students, staff, and the wider community in environmental stewardship.