Creating an Effective Sustainability Action Plan
Leading the way to a greener future with practical, actionable steps for schools
Seminar Brief
This session brings you a speaker panel consisting of peer experts leading the way in schools, and sustainability specialists working with schools, to share their experience and expertise to help you create impactful sustainability and climate action plans.
Climate change is a challenge we all need to face head-on and schools have an amazing opportunity to lead by example. This session is all about giving School Business Leaders the know-how to create effective sustainability plans that don’t just tick boxes but drive real change. From reducing waste and energy use to inspiring your whole school community to get on board, we’ll cover everything you need to make a difference.
This panel style session brings School Business Leaders and sustainability specialists together to share their experiences and strategies for creating impactful sustainability and climate action plans. The panel will deliver practical insights and tools to help schools lead the way toward a greener future.
IN THIS SEMINAR WE EXPLORE
• Step-by-step guidance for creating a tailored sustainability plan for your school.
• Ways to reduce energy consumption and waste while engaging the whole school community.
• How to access funding and resources to support your climate initiatives.
• Examples of small changes that can make a big environmental impact.
• How to embed sustainability into your school culture for long-term success.
TAKE HOME POINTS
• A step-by-step guide to building a sustainability plan that works for your school.
• Easy wins to cut down on energy and waste while saving money.
• Ideas to engage students, staff and parents in your green goals.
• Tools to track and report on your progress in a meaningful way.
• Tips on finding funding and resources to support your eco-initiatives.
THIS SESSION IS FOR SCHOOL BUSINESS LEADERS WHO
Are passionate about making their schools more sustainable.
If you want to roll up your sleeves and create a greener future, this session will give you the tools, ideas and inspiration to get started.
Gemma Tunstall, Bryan McCourt, Harry Eaves
About the speakers:
Gemma is the finance and business manager (CFO) for Wellington School, a large single academy trust based in Trafford. She is the chair of the Manchester and Trafford School Business Leader Forum and joined the UK Schools Sustainability Network (UKSSN) operations group as co-chair in July 2024. Gemma started her career as an auditor at PwC within the government and public sector department. She is a chartered accountant and recently received contract management practitioner level accreditation delivered by the Government Commercial Function.
Bryan McCourt is an energy solutions & net zero consultant at Zenergi. Bryan works specifically with the education sector helping multi academy trusts, independent schools, colleges, maintained junior and primary academies and secondary schools achieve better budgets through smarter energy purchasing. Bryan has also helped schools and trusts secure hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of grant funding for Net Zero projects in the education estate.
Harry has been an energy consultant for seven years, having studied renewable energy engineering at university. He is currently completing an executive MBA at the University of Birmingham. Harry cares deeply about energy efficiency and low carbon solutions from a cost reduction perspective, as well as from a standpoint of improving sustainability and mitigating the effects of climate change.