Environment
Our beautiful grounds offer a stunning backdrop and an idyllic place to learn. We are committed to making the most of our wonderful natural environment, as well as protecting and enhancing it.
Whether learning all about bushcraft or wilderness first aid or producing environmental art, our pupils are involved in all aspects of our surroundings. We think ‘outside’ first and use every opportunity to take learning out of the classroom. From our Brookham ‘eco warriors’ to actively managing our woodlands for energy production in our biomass plant, we are proud and committed custodians of our natural heritage.
Renewable Energy at Highfield and Brookham
We are always looking for more sustainable and cost-effective ways of maintaining the buildings and grounds as environmental sustainability is important to us. Highfield and Brookham uses biomass energy with a woodchip-burning heating system, a sustainable system which utilises the woodland on our vast estate to produce energy to heat the entire school, the café and the indoor swimming pool.
The heating system is considered to be carbon neutral as trees take carbon out of the atmosphere as they grow, which is replaced in the atmosphere as they are burnt, so there is no increase in atmospheric CO2 levels. The system is sustainable as the woodchip used for burning is derived from chestnut coppicing on the Highfield and Brookham estate. Chestnut is a naturally self-replenishing woodland and requires little, if any, replanting to maintain its levels.
We hope to inspire this generation to lead the way in looking after our natural environment for future generations to enjoy
Phillip Evitt, Highfield Headmaster
Eco-Schools Programme
We are delighted to be part of the Eco-Schools programme and have now achieved our Bronze, Silver and Green Flag awards. As part of the programme, all the children have explored the whole concept of ‘Reduce, Reuse, Recycle’ as well as saving fuel and water. They have researched environments that need our help and the idea of deforestation and global warming. Our Brookham eco-warriors work with a small group of adults, both teachers and parents, to remind the rest of the school community how to treat and respect our planet.
The Highfield Estate Plan
We are delighted that the Highfield Estate Plan was endorsed by the South Downs National Park Authority’s policy committee on March 29th, 2018.
The plan covers all 517 acres of the Highfield estate and provides a detailed review of what we have in place and how we plan to continue to develop and improve in terms of our ecology, woodlands, transportation and schools. By working in partnership with the South Downs National Park Authority, they have gained an insight into our vision and ambitious plans for the estate and school’s development which we hope will be beneficial as we put these plans in place.
The Estate Plan and accompanying documents can be found below and are also available on the South Downs National Park website.