Planet Protectors from The Portsmouth Academy unite to clean up the beach

At The Portsmouth Academy, community action is fundamental to living through our ethos and values; and it’s a commitment we take pride in. 

As part of Thinking Schools Academy Trust’s WeAreOne: Planet Protectors event, a group of staff gave up their Saturday morning for a beach clean on Southsea seafront. 

Members of staff from across our school spent over an hour picking up numerous pieces of litter and disposing of it responsibly, making a real difference to our local environment. 

The morning embodied the spirit of this WeAreOne event, by planting the seeds of change and having a tangible impact on the future of our planet. 

Miss H. Payne, Teacher of Geography at The Portsmouth Academy, highlighted the power of small actions making a big difference. 

“Colleagues and I spent just an hour helping to clean up the beach, but it makes such an impact. 

“This week’s WeAreOne event provided the perfect opportunity to showcase how passionate we are about serving Portsmouth’s community spaces and protecting our wonderful planet.” 

WeAreOne: Planet Protectors is a celebratory event run across Thinking Schools Academy Trust, as schools help to raise awareness of environmental challenges and take part in activities to affect positive change in their community. 

Mr D. Botting, Principal at The Portsmouth Academy and Regional Director for Thinking Schools Academy Trust, recognised the importance of the staff’s time and effort, and how their work strengthens this campaign. 

“For our staff to give up their own time to make a real, positive difference in our community showcases the very best of The Portsmouth Academy. We take pride in not only caring for the environment within our school, but out in the wider world too. 

“At Thinking Schools Academy Trust, we’re proud to have launched our new Sustainability Strategy, which sets out our bold ambition to become a net-zero organisation by 2050”. 

This beach clean by The Portsmouth Academy is just one example of how embody the spirit of We Are TPA. 

It strengthens our community of pupils, parents and staff who work side-by-side together and belong to something bigger than ourselves.