Sixth Form student selected to meet Ministers and delegates at COP26 after award-winning international eco work

Olivia Finch, 16, (pictured above right)

Olivia Finch, 16, of The King Alfred School Academy Sixth Form in Highbridge, Somerset has been rewarded for her outstanding environmental achievements by representing the UK at COP26 in Glasgow on Thursday.

Olivia, along with Jack Clark, achieved incredible things as Head Girl and Head Boy during their time at Worle Community School Academy, (WCSA).

WCSA won UK and international awards for its futuristic eco-work including electric car chargers, bikes, travel to school changes and communications, and installation of 1,132 solar panels.

It also finished semi-finalists in the international Global Social Leaders competition involving over 600 teams from 105 countries, and was awarded the prestigious Green Flag for its overall achievements.

Olivia was also founder student member and editor of the groundbreaking Jill Dando News, interviewing politicians and others about the environment and other issues.

Both TKASA and WCSA are part of The Priory Learning Trust, (TPLT) which is passionate about the environment.

Olivia said: “We are so excited to be going to COP26. The environment is an urgent global issue and we want to add our weight to make sure action is taken.”

Olivia and Jack will represent Somerset Climate Justice Network along with 20 other students from around the UK. They will travel with the UK Schools Sustainability Network (UKSSN) and Global Action Plan (GAP). 

Olivia has interviewed many famous people as student editor of Jill Dando News including the BBC’s Fiona Bruce, Olympic champion rower James Cracknell, and NASA astronaut Doug Wheelock. 

She also scripted, produced and presented a news piece for BBC Points West on the anniversary of Jill Dando‘s death.

Head of Sixth Form Jonathan Gaskell said: “We are delighted to see Olivia represent students across the UK on such a potentially world changing summit.”

TKASA Sixth Form has enjoyed consistent success over the last few years with a 100% pass rate, and with 80% going to Russell Group Universities, and three students are heading off to study at Cambridge and Oxford universities. 

The Sixth Form has benefitted from significant investment since joining TPLT and the facilities for students are outstanding. 

Anyone looking to study A-levels in a high performing Sixth Form is encouraged to take a look at the  website https://www.tkasa.org.uk and to make contact with Mr Gaskell via email