Year 9 Rewards Trip: Energy Recycling and Recovery Facility, Leeds.

Twenty-eight Year 9 students from Manor Croft Academy were rewarded for their dedication and commitment to Sparx Science with a fantastic visit to the Veolia Leeds Energy Recycling and Recovery Facility, organised by the Science Department.

During the visit, pupils took part in an interactive session exploring the history and purpose of the building, learning how waste is transformed into energy that powers 22,000 homes and businesses across Leeds. They were able to see the control room in action, take part in an immersive VR experience using headsets, and enjoyed a guided tour of the largest living wall in Europe, discovering how science and sustainability work together to support urban environments.

Hands-on activities challenged pupils to decide how long everyday items take to decompose and to sort materials correctly into grey or brown bins, highlighting the importance of responsible waste management. A quiz at the end of the visit tested their understanding and encouraged friendly competition.

Pupils also took part in an ecosystem’s session led by Mrs Malik, exploring how the living wall provides habitats for plants, insects and birds in a busy city centre space. This linked directly to their science curriculum and helped bring classroom learning to life.

This trip reflected our school values of Community and Ambition. By engaging with real-world science and environmental sustainability, pupils demonstrated ambition in their learning and a commitment to making a positive impact on their community and the wider environment.

Well done to all pupils who attended – you represented Manor Croft Academy brilliantly.