Education trust strengthens environmental partnership

A GROWING education trust has added a new dimension to a North East partnership aimed at sharing good practice around Net Zero targets.

The Northern Lights Learning Trust has become the first educational establishment to join the Darlington Employers’ Environmental Partnership (DEEP).

DEEP, which holds regular Network and Learn events, has grown quickly since it was launched two years ago and now has nearly 50 members.

The Northern Lights Learning Trust recently took an important first step into Darlington when St Aidan’s CE Academy became one of its ten schools.

The trust’s Chief Executive, Jo Heaton OBE, said: “We know that the children in our schools are the business owners and employees of the future, and it is their world that we are working to improve.

“Northern Lights Learning Trust is committed to environmental education, and our children and young people certainly expect us to be. We firmly believe in our schools serving the local community and working with all local stakeholders.

“We are proud that St. Aidan’s CE Academy in Darlington is part of Northern Lights and are excited about the partnership working with DEEP.

“We know the importance of achieving Net Zero, and are fully committed to DEEP’s objectives, as well as being impressed with the proactive approach that DEEP has taken on this issue.”

Rob Macdiarmid, Chair of DEEP and Head of ESG at ZIGUP plc, welcomed the trust to the partnership.

He said: “It is so heartening to see a forward-thinking education trust wanting to play its part in sharing knowledge, experience and learning around the Net Zero agenda. Education is at the heart of what DEEP is striving to achieve and having Northern Lights as a member adds a new dimension and strengthens a partnership that goes from strength to strength.”