Under the guidance of Olivia Jefferson (GEMS Group Leader), pupils in Year 7 and 8, also known as The Planet People are passionate about the environment so much so it has led them to start the construction of an eco-classroom in the school grounds at Harewood Road in Gosforth.

A funding grant of £5,290 from the Ernest Cook Trust (national education charity) has enabled GEMS to develop their solar powered eco-classroom made from eco-bricks.

Since joining forces with Northumberland Wildlife Trust, it has been Green Mentor Demmi Robinson’s role to listen to the voices of young people and in making The Planet People’s dreams become a reality.

The eco-classroom will be constructed from eco-bricks made from recycled plastic bottles (two litres) filled with single-used plastic waste such as food packaging, plastic bags, crisp packets and the like. The building will be solar-powered and accommodate 20 pupils.

Since October 2021, The Planet People have been busy creating eco-bricks and have so far made 120 with the group continuing to raise awareness of using eco-bricks to reduce waste pollution and the filling of landfill sites.

As the project requires 7,000 bricks, the eco warriors are signing up fellow pupils and volunteers, as well as their families and friends to help make eco-bricks over the summer to ensure they meet their October deadline.

Group members would love to involve anyone interested in supporting their project by helping to create even more eco-bricks.

The group has created a fox eco-bin placed outside the school gate as a collection point for completed eco-bricks.

Alternatively, Northumberland Wildlife Trust, situated in the grounds of St Nicholas Hospital in Gosforth will be collecting them throughout the summer, Monday to Wednesday, between 9am - 5pm.

Once the eco-brick target is reached, the eco-building will be in the trusted hands of civil engineer Chris Robertson who, alongside a team of construction volunteers, will make the pupils’ ideas come to life. 

Demmi Robinson, Northumberland Wildlife Trust’s Green Mentor comments: “I’m really blown away by the enthusiasm and commitment of the Planet People. They are an absolute joy to work with as they recognise the need to re-cycle plastic to stop pollution, waste and the filling of landfill sites so who knows, they may be the next generation of conservation leaders!’’

Anybody interested in supporting the environment and young people can contact demmi.robinson@northwt.org.uk