Empowering young people: Cwmfelinfach Primary School

Cwmfelinfach Primary School, located in the heart of Caerphilly County Borough Council, has taken bold steps to champion environmental education and community action. Through its innovative whole-school topic, ‘Me, Wales and the Wider World’, the school has fostered a culture of sustainability, exploration, and advocacy, making significant contributions to both local and global environmental awareness.

The primary school, which is also part of our Eco-Schools Wales programme is empowering the next generation of eco-citizens,

Pupils conducted an array of activities: 

• Local Exploration: The school’s “Eco Tour” explored environmental challenges and opportunities in their community, including a study of the Sirhowy River. Learners documented pollution during a photography walk and reached out to Natural Resources Wales to advocate for river conservation. 

• Hands-On Impact: Students conducted litter picks and contributed to a noticeable improvement in the school grounds and local area. These efforts were amplified by the ‘Heddlu Bach’, a student-led initiative tackling dog fouling and promoting responsible dog ownership through the Caerphilly Council LEAD project. 

• Engaging Research: Across year groups, children explored critical environmental issues like animal extinction and learned about ways to care for wildlife. Pupils built feeders, bug houses, and habitats to attract pollinators and other species. 

Parent engagement sessions further expanded the initiative’s reach, allowing families to pledge sustainable actions. 

The school’s actions have also driven positive changes within the wider community where for example, participation in litter picks and the LEAD project has raised community awareness and fostered a real sense of shared responsibility. 

The thriving school allotment has become a focal point for environmental learning, producing fresh produce and creating hands-on gardening opportunities. By sharing these updates via Class Dojo and Facebook, the school has encouraged wider family and community involvement, generating enthusiastic feedback from parents and carers. 

Through its ongoing efforts, Cwmfelinfach Primary School exemplifies the power of education and community collaboration to drive environmental change, ensuring that its learners grow into advocates for a greener future.