On 22nd January, Queen Mary’s College supported The Vyne School’s Eco Club in hosting the Basingstoke and Deane Climate Conference 2026, bringing together over 70 students from local schools to address eco-anxiety and encourage positive climate action.
Seven schools took part, including Bishop Challoner Catholic Secondary School, Brighton Hill Community School, Cranbourne School, Everest Community Academy, The Costello School, The Hurst School, and The Vyne School.
What is the Climate Conference?
The Climate Conference is a collaborative project that brings together community members from eco clubs and groups in Basingstoke to share their passion for the environment.
Leading this year’s event was The Vyne School’s Eco Club, a student-led initiative focused on environmental and sustainability efforts.
The Conference theme, Eco-Anxiety, focused on how young people are affected by climate change and how we can all work together to confidently alleviate this through education and meaningful action.
Student representatives from all seven schools took part with their respective Sustainability Leads through hands-on activities in line with the day’s theme and goals.
Education Through Engaging Learning
The day officially began with a welcome talk and introduction by the Eco Club and QMC Principal, Mark Henderson, setting a positive tone for the day ahead.
Mark Ellis, Lead Educator for the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation, followed next, delivering an inspiring speech on wildlife and conservation. He specifically highlighted how animals are affected by extreme climate changes, and what young people can do to help make a difference. After a quick fire Q&A session, students broke into groups and rotated through a series of interactive workshops.
Workshop Sessions
- Last Leaf Project – The Eco Club designed an engaging puzzle box activity involving a litmus test and hidden message relating to the conference’s theme.
- Soil Activity – QMC’s Science Department led an investigation centred around soil health. Students brought soil samples from their own schools, and learned how to test them in a laboratory setting, gaining practical knowledge on soil ecosystems.
- Carbon Literacy – Students looked at climate literacy, exploring the use of carbon in our daily lives. Guided by QMC’s Environmental Science team, they considered potential methods to reduce carbon footprint.
The final activity invited all students to participate in a group art activity. They were asked to form a deep and personal response to the prompt “How can your artwork show the shift from eco-anxiety to hope and action for wildlife?” Working on individual canvases, students created artistic interpretations which reflected their positive outlook.
Closing Ceremony
Councillor Chris Tomblin, Cabinet Member for Climate and Ecological Emergency for Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, joined as guest speaker to outline the positive steps the borough is taking to tackle environmental issues.
The Eco Club closed the event by giving closing remarks and thanking everyone involved. All student participants received a pin badge and certificate of achievement which recognised their fantastic effort and contribution.
Victoria Renault, Director of Learning: Admissions, Progression & Engagement at QMC, commented, “We were thrilled to welcome so many of our local schools to this inaugural event for young people. Working with The Vyne students was a privilege and their confident delivery of such a successful day is testament to the strength of our community.”
Hope for The Future
The Climate Conference connected Basingstoke’s local youth with influential voices in the environment sector and provided immersive, educational experiences that helped them to make the most of every opportunity.
Its positive outcomes reinforce our dedication to equipping and empowering the next generation with the knowledge, skills, and confidence they need to create a better future.
