North Shields primary pupils take inspiration from COP26 for climate march

​Pupils at a North Shields primary organised a march inspired by the COP26 climate summit to highlight their concerns about the future of the planet.

Children at St Cuthbert’s Catholic Primary School wanted to carry on raising awareness of environmental issues following the major summit of world leaders last year. 

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​The school, which is part of Bishop Bewick Catholic Education Trust, carried out work around COP26 which included welcoming pilgrims from Poland, Germany and Sweden and giving them questions to take to the conference held in Glasgow in November.

Pupils wanted to know what changes had taken place since and if anyone was listening to the issues they raised.

After asking if they could raise awareness of their concerns, they organised a march around North Shields which took around 45 minutes and included singing in The Beacon Shopping Centre.

The children said they felt it was important to highlight the need to take action to address the climate crisis.
 
Year 1 pupil Jack said: “We’re marching to save the world, I think it’s our job to make sure the animals are safe and nobody is hurting them.”

Ashton in Year 6, said: “We’ve planned this demo as it’s important to raise awareness of the ever growing climate crisis. Lots of people are feeling like us but some aren’t aware. If we all do our bit, even a small bit then good things will happen.”

Year 5 pupil Albert added: “Our march is to tell people that we need to look after each other and our planet. We sent messages and questions to the world leaders at COP26 and we’re wondering what they are doing to help the world.”

Anya in Year 6 said: “It’s time to do something to help our environment. People and animals are suffering and if adults won’t do anything then it is up to us, the children to make the change.”

Year 3 pupil Terri added: “We went on a pilgrimage with people from Sweden and Poland, we only went a little bit but they marched from their homes to Glasgow for COP26.
 
“We are marching today to remind everybody that we need to save our planet- we don’t have a planet B.”
As well as making banners, animations and posters and planning the route, the preparations for the march included inviting guests into school to help them learn even more about their local and global environment.

The guests from various organisations and charities included Greenpeace, North Tyneside Council, Northumbria University, Newcastle College Energy Centre, Success4All, Bike4Health, GEM Education, Pure Buzzin North Shields, along with North Tyneside Young Mayor Suzie McKenzie.

Pupils from Year 5 and 6 also cycled to the Newcastle College Energy Centre and further work is planned with the centre, as well as with Northumbria University and North Tyneside Council.

Shaun Dillion, headteacher at St Cuthbert’s Catholic Primary School, said: “Our children and wider community believe that compassion is something that we are always learning about and is something that is essential when helping make our world a better place.

“They have worked hard to achieve the UNICEF Rights Respecting Schools Gold Award and believe that they can make a positive difference to the world around them.

“They have taken inspiration from the pilgrims they met last October and want to make sure the concerns they have around the environment are not forgotten and that as a society we should show compassion for everyone else and this includes making sure our world is cared for.
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“Our children want to reach out to make a positive difference and put their faith into action. “