Boston school chosen to help UK Parliament on drought preparedness

Boston Grammar School is one of just six schools and colleges from across the UK taking part in a programme being run by the House of Lords’ Environment and Climate Change Committee.

During the Youth Engagement Programme, as itis known, children from the school will contribute to the committee’s inquiry into drought preparedness and meet with committee members in Parliament to discuss the inquiry and other environmental issues that are important to them and their community.

They will also learn about the role the House of Lords has in the passing of laws, holding the Government to account, and making recommendations to Government the on a range of topics.

Baroness Sheehan, chairman of the House of Lords’ Environment and Climate Change Committee, said: “I was very impressed with the high standard of application I received from Boston Grammar School.

“I look forward to meeting and working with the students over the duration of the programme.

“They will play a vital role in informing the committee on the really important issue of drought preparedness and wider environmental issues that are important to them.”

Now in its fourth year, the Youth Engagement Programme is an opportunity for young people to share their views on environment and climate change issues that directly impact them. The programme also provides the House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee a different perspective on the key issues they investigate.

The other schools are colleges taking part in the programme for 2025/26 are: Bullers Wood School for Boys, in Bromley, part of Greater London; Chesham Grammar School, in Buckinghamshire; Darlington College, in County Durham; Northfield School and Sports College, in Stockton-on-Tees, also in County Durham; and Stamford College.

Boston Grammar School said it was ‘very excited’ to be involved in the programme and ‘honoured’ to be helping to represent the region.

Ahead of the Christmas break from lessons, the school had an online induction session last week, which included an opportunity to quiz Baroness Sheehan.

Speaking at the time, Steve Barker, sustainability lead for the school, said: “One of the reasons we were selected, we are sure, is the success of our Gardening Club, which has now reached almost 60 pupils since starting in February.

“This week, no fewer than 28 hardy souls braved the cold to continue the process of transforming an unloved corner of the grounds into a multifunctional space.

“We have already created a vegetable allotment, small orchard and tranquillity space, reusing discarded materials such as bricks and tree branches to make the garden as sustainable as possible. What we have dubbed 'Phase Two’ is now underway, and will include wildflower strips and a pond.”