Rydon Primary Celebrates Outstanding Progress in School Waste Reduction

Rydon Primary is celebrating a remarkable improvement in its recycling and waste‑reduction efforts following a second whole‑school waste audit carried out by Devon’s Resource Futures, led by sustainability specialist Alex Mack.

The audit, completed last month, showed dramatic progress since the school’s initial audit in April last year, demonstrating the commitment of pupils, staff and the wider school community to making meaningful environmental change.

In the first audit the school was sending 6.76 tonnes of general waste each year to the Energy from Waste plant and had a recycling rate of just 25%. By the second audit general waste had been reduced to 3.5 tonnes per year and the recycling rate had risen dramatically to 62%. This represents a 47% improvement overall. These impressive figures reflect a whole‑school effort to reduce waste contamination, recycle more effectively, and understand the environmental impact of everyday choices.

At the heart of this success were the Rydon Pupil Ambassadors, led by teacher Ellie Thomas, who were praised as “fantastic” by Resource Futures for their energy, leadership and passion for improving sustainability at school. Their work has inspired pupils across all year groups to rethink their waste habits and embrace recycling with enthusiasm.

Danny Brown, Headteacher at Rydon Primary, said: 

“We are incredibly proud of the whole school community for achieving such a significant improvement in such a short space of time. The children have truly embraced the challenge, and their enthusiasm for looking after the environment has been inspiring. This project has shown our pupils that small changes really do add up to a big difference.”

Matthew Shanks, CEO at Education South West, said:

“This is a fantastic example of what can be achieved when pupils are empowered to take the lead. Rydon Primary’s progress demonstrates the impact of education in shaping responsible global citizens. We are delighted to see such impressive results and proud of the staff and pupils for their commitment to sustainability.”

Inspirational Paralympian David Hill Visits Rydon Primary School

Pupils at Rydon Primary were pleased to welcome Paralympic triathlete David Hill for an inspiring visit, which left pupils motivated, energised, and full of enthusiasm. Born without a forearm, David began swimming as a child by the sea and went on to become Team GB’s youngest athlete to reach the 100m backstroke final at the 2004 Athens Paralympics.

The day began with pupils taking part in energetic fitness circuits, brilliantly supported by the school’s Sports Leaders, before coming together for a whole-school assembly. During the assembly, David shared his powerful personal story, speaking about resilience, determination, and the importance of believing in yourself. 

The visit also tied into the school’s ongoing fundraising efforts for the Great Athlete’s programme which arranged for David to attend. So far, the Rydon Primary community has raised over £3k which will go towards sports equipment for the school. Every donation makes a real difference, supporting the school and inspiring pupils to take action for their community. 

Rydon Primary School would like to extend a huge thank you to David Hill, the Sports Leaders, and the entire school community for making the day so memorable and impactful.

Danny Brown, Headteacher at Rydon Primary School, said: 

“It was wonderful to see our pupils so engaged and inspired by David’s story. The day combined fitness, fun, and learning in a way that really motivated our children to believe in themselves and their abilities. We are incredibly grateful for everyone who has supported our fundraising so far.”

Matthew Shanks, CEO at Education South West, said:

“Visits like David’s are a fantastic reminder of the power of resilience, determination, and teamwork. Our schools aim to provide experiences that inspire young people to reach their potential, and today’s visit at Rydon Primary did exactly that. Well done to the pupils and staff for making the day such a success.”