THE Lord Mayor of Coventry Coun Kevin Maton joined children and staff from eight Coventry schools for Romero Catholic Academy’s first Eco conference.
The event was hosted by Corpus Christi Catholic Primary School, which is part of the Romero Academy group.
It was organised by Corpus Christi students, who wrote to Romero Catholic Academy’s senior leadership team to ask what they were doing in response to issues raised in last year’s COP26.
Coun Maton gave an address at the start of the conference, before the Coventry City Council’s head of climate change and sustainability Bret Willers led a discussion in which he addressed the origins of climate change and what can be done to reduce our impact on the planet.
This was followed by a talk from Severn Trent’s Commonwealth Forest Delivery Manager Ricky Dallow, who introduced Corpus Christi’s 600-tree-strong Tiny Forest to Romero Academy visitors.
The Tiny Forest is one of 72 planted on sites across the Midlands to celebrate the Commonwealth Games.
Ricky Dallow said: “These Tiny Forests will help to deliver a lasting legacy for the Games and create inspiring outdoor classrooms allowing children to learn first-hand about nature and the environment.”
The conference is set to become an annual academy-wide event to discuss climate change and how to save the planet.
Corpus Christi’s trainee year six teacher, Hannah Thompson said: “I’m very passionate about the environment and I was delighted to be asked by the senior leadership team at Romero to coordinate the event.
“It was amazing to bring so many interested parties together and we appreciate the support from all concerned.
“We’ve had some incredible guest speakers here today and some enthusiastic responses from the children.”
Coventry City Council’s cabinet member for jobs, regeneration and climate change, Coun Jim O’Boyle added: “I’m really pleased that these young students are so interested in what they can do to address climate change.
“It’s a hot topic for us all and one that matters to this generation.
“I hope the students were inspired to think about how they could play their part in positive change in the future too.”
