🌍 Year 12 Geographers Take on the Bloxham Sustainability Challenge 2025–26 ♻️

A group of our Year 12 Geography students have embarked on an exciting journey as part of the Bloxham Sustainability Challenge 2025–26, a prestigious national competition that combines geography, sustainability, and real-world industry insight.

This year’s project focuses on a topical and complex question: should an onshore wind farm in Scotland be built and allowed to go ahead? Over the coming months, our students will evaluate the environmental, social, and economic impacts of such a development, using cutting-edge GIS software from Esri UK and receiving professional mentoring from experts at Dalcour Maclaren.

The challenge was launched last Friday at the Royal Geographical Society in London, where our students represented the school exceptionally well. The day included:

• A keynote lecture on the current state of climate change from Dr Andrew Lee.
• A practical GIS work
• shop with Katie Hall from Esri.
• A networking lunch with the Head of Talent Acquisition at Dalcour Maclaren and a number of current apprentices, giving students an invaluable insight into the skills and opportunities available in sustainability careers.
• The chance to meet former winners of the competition, who shared their experiences and advice.

Looking ahead, the students will now embark on a structured programme of research, workshops, and mentoring sessions. They will gather and analyse data, weigh up competing environmental and economic priorities, and learn how to present persuasive evidence to a professional audience. Along the way, they will gain first-hand experience of project management, decision-making, and teamwork, as well as an appreciation of the complexities faced by those working in sustainable planning.

The challenge will culminate in summer 2026, when teams present their proposals to a panel of industry judges. By then, our students will have not only deepened their academic understanding of sustainability, but also developed the kind of professional skills and confidence that will serve them well in university and beyond.

We are extremely proud of how our students have started their journey in this challenge and look forward to watching their ideas and solutions take shape over the coming year.