A pioneering nation-wide initiative is redefining how students engage with climate action. The Bloxham Sustainability Challenge (BSC) brings together schools, environmental consultants and geospatial technology experts to help young people explore career opportunities in sustainability, using real-world challenges to inspire practical thinking.
Image Credit: Bloxham School
The BSC was launched in 2023 by Bloxham School (Banbury, Oxfordshire) in partnership with land consultancy Dalcour Maclaren, supported by GIS specialist ESRI UK. Dalcour Maclaren fulfils a mentorship role for the students looking for guidance and industry expertise while Esri UK provides access to cutting-edge geo-spatial technology.
This year, the initiative has been embraced by schools across the country, such as Rochdale Sixth Form College, Maidstone Grammar School for Girls, and Robert Gordon’s College. By providing live briefs that mirror the complexities of professional sustainability planning, the challenge equips Year 12 students with the tools, mentorship, and confidence to tackle environmental challenges that require real-world solutions.
Now in its third consecutive year, the latest Bloxham Sustainability Challenge was officially announced on Friday 19th September at the Royal Geographical Society. The event was a gathering of leading voices in education and climate policy.
A total of 70 students attended Friday’s event at the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG), with the sessions also being livestreamed to a national audience with schools taking part from the Isle of Wight to Aberdeen. From live demonstrations and interactive workshops to networking lunches with sustainability professionals, the day showcased the Challenge’s commitment to inclusive opportunity, collaborative learning, and long-term impact.
Students had the opportunity to hear from Naomi Davis, DfE Youth Sustainability Champion, and attend a networking lunch with Dalcour Maclaren Degree Apprentices.
One student said: “The BSC has given me insight into the complications of establishing new developments, such as considering demand and resources, and balancing the concerns of locals with the needs of a wider population." Another student shared that, thanks to the BSC, she now follows more sustainability issues in the world and can more critically analyse political decisions surrounding them.
Speaking at the launch event, Claire Evans, Head of Geography at Bloxham School and the co-creator of the Bloxham Sustainability Challenge, said: “This initiative is all about creating meaningful educational experiences that prepare students for future employment once they complete their studies. Most young people are unaware of the career paths they could be pursuing in sustainability and green jobs of the future, so the BSC helps address this by providing opportunities for highly engaging, student-led learning experiences with a real-world focus.”
The demand for green skills is growing rapidly. In the UK, green job postings rose by 9.2 % last year, while the global geospatial technology market is projected to reach $31.2 billion by 2030.
Katie Hall, Head of Education at Esri UK said: “We are so proud to support the Bloxham Sustainability Challenge with world-leading geospatial technology. It is a privilege to watch students become part of our global community of users and develop their understanding of the power of spatial analysis to help make sustainable decisions for the planet."
After presenting and co-ordinating the networking lunch, Joanna Middleton, Head of Talent Acquisition for Dalcour Maclaren added: “We continue to experience exceptional demand from our clients for highly skilled talent, with an increased focus on evidencing our ability to maintain a robust pipeline of future talent to support their projects in the face of various hiring challenges across the industry landscape. Our commitment to engaging future apprentices and graduates with expertise in technology and sustainability is vital not only to our business but also to many of our clients. That’s why initiatives like the Bloxham Sustainability Challenge are so valuable. It’s inspiring to see that it's already making an impact across industry, with students proactively applying for careers upon completion of the challenge, and their valuable innovations coming to life in real-time.”
As the Bloxham Sustainability Challenge continues to grow, its mission remains clear: to connect education with industry, empower students with future-ready skills, and shape a generation equipped to lead on sustainability.