Conference of
Ribble Valley Schools
CORVS Update: Nature Needs Nurturing
February 2025
Thirty six High School pupils from East Lancashire have been preparing for the third annual student climate conference.
The Conference of Ribble Valley Schools (CORVS) was inspired by the UN’s COP events where leaders work together on solutions to tackle climate change, with the first event taking place in the borough in June 2023. On February 5th Students from Bowland High School, Oakhill College, Pleckgate High School, Ribblesdale High School and St. Christopher’s HS recently spent an afternoon at the council offices in Clitheroe with local leaders discussing the challenges posed by climate change, and making plans for CORVS3, which will take place on June 20 at Ribblesdale High School. Organised by the Ribble Valley Climate Action Network (RVCAN) the pupils were joined at the council offices in Clitheroe by Ribble Valley Mayor, Councillor Louise Edge; Chairman of the Climate Working Group, Councillor David Birtwistle; and Mara Gee, Alison Cross and David Rawkins from RVCAN.
“It was a pleasure to meet with such inspirational young people. The event highlighted the passion being shown by pupils across the region’s schools for moving towards a greener, more sustainable future. ”
Cllr Birtwistle noted that whilst 67% of people nationally are concerned about climate change, according to a recent survey, only 54% of Ribble Valley residents are concerned. He went on to say “The council aspires to be carbon neutral by 2030; local initiatives include rewilding at Edisford, increasing the number of charging points for electric vehicles across the valley and recycling food waste.”
Cllrs Edge and Birtwistle held a Q&A session with the pupils, which included the consequences of political change nationally affecting local planning policy, the problems associated with building new houses on flood plains, the pros and cons of insulating old houses and what the future of house building might look like.
Richard Spencer, staff delegate from Bowland High School, said: “It was inspiring to hear the students ask so many well-informed and intelligent questions, and to see them engage with the consultation with the councillors in such a mature way.”
Frank Meechan, staff delegate from Oakhill College, said “The pupils are showing real initiative with this programme: their questions demonstrated time and again just how knowledgeable they are regarding the climate and nature emergency.”
Following the Q&A students discussed plans for CORVS3 and considered pledges they could make while reporting back on last year’s pledges. Joanna (St. Christopher’s) emphasised the importance of support from teachers when making pledges, and Josh (Ribblesdale) asked whether the council would be prepared to make pledges and report back on them at CORVS4. Martha (Oakhill) requested in addition that practical advice concerning changes that all could make to live more sustainably, and also how to engage in climate conversations.
The theme for CORVS 3 is Nature and Farming. Jack Spees (CEO Ribble Rivers Trust) has already agreed to be the keynote speaker and the pupil delegates have identified a number of prominent members of the local farming community who they hope will provide workshops. Emaan (Pleckgate) and Cooper (St. Christopher’s) made some excellent suggestions regarding inviting local business leaders so that they could see how much caring for the environment matters to young people in the region.
Leanne Billington, staff delegate from Ribblesdale High School, said: “The enthusiasm of the students to engineer positive change in a thoughtful and collaborative way is wonderful to see. They are approaching a wide ranging problem with so many impacts practical, brave and achievable solutions.”
Building on the success of last year’s conference, CORVS3 is set to expand, with a number of primary schools attending for a separate programme, as well as a number of new delegate schools from across East Lancashire.
Every Action Counts: Ribble Valley Schools hold second annual ‘COP-style’ climate crisis conference
Ribble Valley's commitment to tackling climate change took centre stage as dozens of young people from across Lancashire attended the second student climate conference on Tuesday 18th June. Held at Ribblesdale High School, the event was a powerful reminder that when it comes to tackling climate change ‘Every Action Counts’.
Keynote speaker Francis Hyland, a renowned author from the Eco Schools Project, then captivated the audience with a thought-provoking presentation on how small changes in schools can make a big difference.
Students engaged in hands-on workshops, including invertebrate sampling to monitor river water quality, building bird boxes, and crafting meat-free menus for school dinners. Among many of the day’s highlights was a motivating seminar by St Christopher’s High School in Accrington who showcased their successful “Solar for Schools” initiative, underlining how student efforts can lead to a significant portion of a school's energy being provided by solar panels.
Reception children joined the older students in planting sunflower seeds and making seed-balls for birds, demonstrating that every action, no matter how small, contributes to a bigger programme of change.
The expert panel, featuring Jack Spees (CEO Ribble Rivers Trust), Gary Young (Heidelberg Materials), Rachel Tomlinson (Headteacher at Barrowford Primary School), and Francis Hyland, fielded a variety of insightful questions from students. Discussions ranged from food waste disposal to advocating for impactful policies and exploring cost-effective solar energy alternatives.
Progress from last year’s pledges was displayed, showcasing tangible results and motivating new commitments. Students and staff made fresh pledges, including:
Ribblesdale: Re-open the school greenhouse and use the produce in cookery classes.
Clitheroe Royal Grammar: Campaign for better public transport to reduce car travel by sixth formers.
Pleckgate HS: Expand meat-free Mondays to “Taste Tuesdays” featuring new vegan or vegetarian dishes.
Oakhill: Organise a termly house litter pick competition.
Stonyhurst: Use alumni and family links to learn more about sustainable practices.
Bowland HS: Sell eco-pens that grow into wildflowers when planted and populate the school boundary with over 100 hedgerow plants.
Students left the conference uplifted and motivated. Jennie Lynch from Oakhill said:
“It was an inspiring day highlighting the importance of young people understanding and caring for their environment.” Jonathan Powell from Clitheroe Grammar echoed this sentiment, adding:
“It was great to see young people embracing the challenge and working together. We need to remember to work with nature and to make space for nature – as we are part of nature – part of the biosphere – our planet.”
Next year’s conference promises to be even bigger, with schools from outside the area expressing interest in joining. Oakhill College is set to host the next event, and initial planning is already underway.
David Rawkins, organiser of CORVS 2, said:
"While the COP conference unites world leaders, it's crucial to drive change locally too. This student conference hopes to inspire a wave of other local initiatives that, together, can drive significant global impact. Every action counts, and together, we can all make a difference.”
Scroll down and use the arrows to scroll across and read all the pledges made by schools attending CORVS 2.
Aerial shots show Bowland High School’s boundaries which are to be planted with wildflowers and hedgerows.
Press Coverage of CORVS 2 | Summer 2024
There were also articles in Castle View, The Clitheroe Advertiser and Times and The Bowland Benefice Magazine (!)
CORVS Updates: Autumn 2024
“We were fortunate to receive a selection of 7 fruit trees in the Autumn term from the Tree Council and they have been planted along the school boundary on the school field - hopefully they will bear fruit in the second year.
As in previous years we have received a good selection (100+) of hedgerow plants from The Woodland Trust which we have used to populate our school boundary in various places. This is an ongoing project of repair around the school boundary.
The boundary around the artificial pitches has been landscaped and a large number of hedges and trees have been planted.
The grass has been left to grow on the banking to provide a haven for insects.
We collected some data in the Autumn term in order to monitor food waste so that we can take steps to reduce waste in the 2024-25 school year.
Solar Panels and ground heating system are in place at Bowland and the plan is for future buildings to be fitted with solar panels. A new, more efficient boiler is to be installed in the English Block.”
