Leverhulme Litter Pick – Climate Champions
Thursday, 26th June 2025
Pupils and staff from all three schools in the Leverhulme Academy Trust joined forces with local volunteers to carry out a major community litter pick — taking action to protect the environment and give back to their local areas.
As part of their ongoing work to develop Climate Action Plans, pupil leaders from Rivington and Blackrod High School, Harper Green High School, and Lostock Primary School collaborated to tackle litter in key community green spaces. These pupil leaders, who play an 
active role in their schools’ Sustainability Leadership Teams, have been instrumental in leading audits, surveys and environmental initiatives alongside school staff.
Following the success and enthusiasm generated during the Great British Spring Clean, the students were inspired to take their environmental efforts a step further. Together, they took to the streets and parks around their schools to extend their litter-picking campaign beyond the school grounds and into the wider community.
The day began at Rivington and Blackrod High School, where pupils cleaned up Lever Park. The group then moved on to Tempest Park near Lostock Primary School, before finishing their day at Harper Green Fields. Alongside pupils and staff, the initiative was supported by Bolton Council staff, local volunteers and members of the Bolton Borough Litter Picking Volunteer Group.
Vicki Guest, Director of Primary Education and Sustainability Lead for Leverhulme Academy Trust, praised the collaboration, saying:
“It was a fantastic day of teamwork, civic responsibility and personal growth for our pupils. They showed real pride in their local areas and demonstrated the power of pupil leadership. Huge thanks to all the pupils and staff who took part. A special thank you to Gareth Pike from Love Bolton Hate Litter for providing the equipment and delivering the safety briefing, and to Karen Liptrot and her amazing team of community volunteers, whose ongoing dedication continues to inspire us. We look forward to working with them again in future projects.”
The event highlights how young people, empowered by leadership opportunities and community support, are making a tangible difference in their environment — one litter pick at a time.
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