Kent and Medway pupils celebrated through Green School Awards 2026
Making a Difference
(Copyright, Social Enterprise Kent, reproduced with kind permission)
Kent and Medway schools invited to celebrate their young environmental changemakers
Green School Awards 2026 recognise the pupils turning ideas into positive action for their schools, communities and the planet
Schools across Kent and Medway are being encouraged to celebrate the environmental achievements of their pupils by entering the Green School Awards 2026.
Delivered by Social Enterprise Kent (SEK), the awards recognise and celebrate the practical, creative and inspiring ways young people are making a difference to the environment around them.
From growing food and creating wildlife habitats to recycling, reducing waste, saving energy and improving local green spaces, the Green School Awards shine a spotlight on the actions pupils and schools are already taking to create a more sustainable future.
With the entry deadline extended to 30 September 2026, there is still time for schools to share their achievements.
Projects do not have to be large or complex. The awards are designed to recognise environmental action of all sizes, including activities taking place within schools, at pupils' homes or in the wider community.
Entries could include projects involving:
• School gardens and food growing
• Wildlife habitats and biodiversity
• Recycling and reuse
• Energy and water saving
• Litter picking and community clean ups
• Tree planting and nature conservation
• Sustainable travel
• Food sharing and waste reduction
• Environmental awareness campaigns
• Any other initiative helping to create a greener future
Schools simply need to explain what they have done, how they did it and what pupils learned along the way. Entries can be supported with photographs, short videos or written information.
o Homes, Schools Project Manager at Social Enterprise Kent, said:
"Some of the most inspiring environmental ideas come from young people. They notice what is happening around them, ask questions and often come up with wonderfully practical ways to make things better.
"The Green School Awards are about giving those young people the recognition they deserve. A project does not need to be huge to have an impact. It could be a small change within one classroom, an idea that involves the whole school or something that reaches families and the wider community.
"We want teachers and schools to look at what their pupils have already achieved and give them the opportunity to feel proud of it. Sharing these ideas also has the power to inspire other schools and young people to take action."
The Green School Awards provide an opportunity for schools not only to celebrate environmental achievement, but also to recognise the confidence, creativity, teamwork and sense of responsibility young people develop through taking part.
Previous entries have demonstrated the enormous variety of environmental work happening across Kent and Medway, including food growing, nature reserves, wildflower areas, composting, energy conservation, beach cleans, litter picking, reuse projects and sustainable travel initiatives.
Successful projects will be celebrated as part of the Green School Awards 2026, with the final awards celebration taking place in November.
Schools, teachers and education settings across Kent and Medway are encouraged to enter before the extended deadline of 30 September 2026.
To find out more and submit an entry, visit the Green School Awards page on the Social Enterprise Kent website.
About the Green School Awards
The Green School Awards celebrate and inspire positive environmental action by pupils and schools across Kent and Medway. The initiative recognises projects of all sizes and encourages young people to share ideas, learn from one another and understand the difference their actions can make.
The Green School Awards form part of Social Enterprise Kent's portfolio of education initiatives supporting young people, schools and educators across Kent and Medway.
About Social Enterprise Kent
Social Enterprise Kent is a social enterprise working across Kent and Medway to strengthen communities and create opportunities for people through education, training, employability, health and wellbeing, community support and social value programmes.
