In a world that is rapidly evolving, our role as educators extends beyond the classroom walls. We have a duty to equip our students not only with knowledge and skills but also with the values and resilience needed to thrive in a sustainable future. As the Chair of Trustees, I am proud to introduce Maiden Erlegh Trust’s Sustainability Strategy, a comprehensive vision that embodies our commitment to environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and economic viability.

Maiden Erlegh Trust has already been taking action to support sustainability, including investing significant funds in boiler and window replacements across the estate and working to reduce levels of waste from our catering operations.  We have now created a formal sustainability plan and wish to publicly declare our sustainability ambitions with the following key priorities to drive us:

• Educate - To bring an awareness of sustainability to the forefront of our education, not only in our taught curriculum but around school, in our extra-curricular activities and general ethos.  Integrating sustainability into the curriculum provides enriched learning experiences. It encourages critical thinking, problem-solving, and engagement with real-world issues. 
• Engage – we recognise that we cannot do this alone.  We need all stakeholders to the Trust to join us on our sustainability journey, to engage with our vision.  As a Trust, we need to put sustainability at the heart of everything that we do.
• Empower – we will provide students with the tools and the knowledge not only to support us with our sustainability strategy but also to prepare them to be socially responsible citizens and leaders of the future.

This strategy is not just a document; it is a testament to our shared responsibility to make a positive impact on our planet and society. It reflects our dedication to fostering a culture of sustainability that permeates every aspect of our Trust—from the way we design our curriculums to how we manage our resources, support our communities, and inspire our students to be conscientious global citizens.

We recognise that sustainability is not a destination but a journey, one that requires continuous reflection, innovation, and collaboration. This strategy marks the beginning of an exciting chapter for our Trust, one where we will work hand-in-hand with our students, staff, families, and local communities to build a more sustainable and equitable future for all.

Nick Jones, Chair of Trustees