Two Burnham-On-Sea teenagers have headed off to Glasgow to meet Ministers and delegates at COP-26.
Olivia Finch, 16, of King Alfred School Academy’s Sixth Form in Highbridge has been rewarded for her outstanding environmental achievements by representing the UK at the conference aiming to halt climate change.
Olivia and Jack Clark, who is also attending the event, were head girl and head boy during their time at Worle Community School Academy (WCSA).
They will represent Somerset Climate Justice Network along with 20 other students from around the UK.
The school won UK and international awards for its futuristic eco-work including electric car chargers, bikes, travel to school changes and communications, and installation of 1,132 solar panels.
It also finished semi-finalists in the international Global Social Leaders competition involving over 600 teams from 105 countries, and was awarded the prestigious Green Flag for its overall achievements.
Olivia was also founder student member and editor of the groundbreaking Jill Dando News group, interviewing politicians and others about environmental topics and other issues.
Both TKASA and WCSA are part of The Priory Learning Trust (TPLT), which is passionate about the environment.
Olivia said: “We are so excited to be going to COP26. The environment is an urgent global issue and we want to add our weight to make sure action is taken.”
Olivia and Jack will represent Somerset Climate Justice Network along with 20 other students from around the UK.
They will travel with the UK Schools Sustainability Network and Global Action Plan.
Olivia has interviewed many famous people as student editor of Jill Dando News, including the BBC’s Fiona Bruce, Olympic champion rower James Cracknell and NASA astronaut Doug Wheelock.
She also scripted, produced and presented a news piece for BBC Points West on the anniversary of Jill Dando‘s death.
Head of sixth form Jonathan Gaskell said: “We are delighted to see Olivia represent students across the UK on such a potentially world changing summit.”
