Thank you to Sharon Brett, Schools Environmental Advisor for writing this article.
Earth Day was marked in inspiring style on Wednesday 22 April 2026, as seventeen church schools from across Norfolk gathered at Cawston Parish Church for a day dedicated to creation care, climate action and community collaboration. All participating schools are currently working towards the Keep Britain Tidy Green Flag Award, exploring what it means to take responsibility for the environment in practical and meaningful ways.
Now in its fifty-sixth year, Earth Day continues to grow in global significance. The date carries weight following the signing of the Paris Agreement on 22 April 2016, a landmark moment in international climate action. Organisers emphasised the importance of engaging children in this annual event, nurturing the creativity, courage and determination needed to face the climate crisis with hope.
The Diocese of Norwich designed the day to bring schools and local businesses together, highlighting opportunities for a zero-carbon future. Proceedings opened with a welcome video from the Bishop of Norwich, the Rt Revd Graham Usher, who is the Church of England’s Environmental Lead. In it, he praised the commitment shown by pupils and staff. Children were then addressed via video link by Francis Hyland from Keep Britain Tidy, who shared statistics, encouragement and insights into the ten key areas of the Green Flag programme, including Biodiversity, Energy, Litter, Marine and Waste.
Reverend Whitehead led Collective Worship before pupils divided into six groups to take part in a rotation of hands-on workshops. These included climate-focused tree and soil investigations with RWE, a minibeast hunt with Norfolk Wildlife Trust, rainwater modelling with Anglian Water, recycled art with Scrapbox, climate science with Carbon Net Zero, and a Green Skills careers session with the Green Schools Project.
A grant from RWE enabled the provision of notebooks, pens, transport, facilities and refreshments. Each school also received a signed copy of Hidden Planet by natural history illustrator Ben Rothery, along with washing tabs donated by SMOL.
Organisers extended their thanks to all workshop leaders and volunteers whose support ensured the day’s success.
The following schools were involved in the day:
- Cawston CofE Primary Academy NR10 4AY
- St Peter’s CofE Primary Academy NR9 5AD
- Great Witchingham CofE Primary Academy NR9 5SD
- Hockering CofE Primary Academy NR20 3HN
- Drayton CofE Junior School NR8 6EF
- Rudham CofE Primary Academy PE31 8RF
- Taverham CofE Junior School NR8 6SX
- St Mary’s CofE Primary AcademyNR11 8AF
- North Elmham CofE Primary Academy NR20 5JS
- All Saints CofE Primary Academy NR21 0LT
- Neatishead CofE Primary Academy NR12 8XN
- Fleggburgh CofE Primary Academy NR29 3AG
- Salhouse CofE primary Academy NR13 6RJ
- Horsford CofE VA Primary School NR10 3ES
- St Faiths CofE VC Primary School NR10 3LF
- Dereham CofE Junior Academy NR19 1BJ
- Fairhaven CofE Primary School NR13 6DZ
Jason Mawe Photography LTD | Photography : Image credits
