Sustainability

MCS has around 950 pupils and 200 staff who learn and work on the school’s central Oxford site.

The school recognises that its activities and actions have an impact on the environment, locally, nationally and globally. MCS is committed to becoming a more sustainable school as part of our 2030 vision, by reducing our negative impact on the environment and enhancing our positive impact. 

What does Sustainability mean at MCS?

Sustainability means meeting our own needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This encompasses not only the environment, but also social factors and economic resources.

Educating the MCS community about the need to live and learn in a Sustainable way is fundamental to the School’s Aims of “enabling each pupil to develop an independent and searching mind” and “equipping pupils to make a positive and lasting contribution to their communities, both now and in the future.”

MCS will celebrate its 550^th anniversary in 2030. The current generation of MCS staff and pupils wish to ensure that we shape a School that is able to flourish for at least another half millennium, and hopefully many more beyond.

Areas of focus

In Michaelmas 2020, we published our sustainability commitments, which align with the United Nations Global Sustainable Development Goals. MCS has identified the following areas of focus:

Environment:

• An estate built to last: MCS will ensure the Estate is built and managed in a Sustainable way.
• Lowering our carbon emissions: The School has quantified its carbon emissions for the first time in 2020, and will establish targets in order to quantify the decarbonisation of the Estate.
• A culture of using less: All members of the MCS community will all commit to using less, encompassing all aspects of school life, from pens to electricity.
• Sustainable purchasing: MCS will embed life cycle considerations into all purchases, and make environmentally friendly choices regarding products and suppliers.
• Environmentally friendly catering: MCS will ensure its catering operation minimises food miles, reduces its carbon footprint, and educates the community about healthy and sustainable food choices.

Social

• Broadening access: MCS is committed to an ambitious Bursary campaign which underpins our desire to educate all those who are best able to flourish from an MCS education, regardless of their background.
• Partnership within the Community: MCS is committed to working with partners within OX4 and more widely in order to develop a local and national sustainability agenda.
• Diverse and committed staff: MCS will seek to interview and recruit high quality and diverse staff, who are committed to the School’s aims and ethos.
• Good health and wellbeing: MCS will educate the community about the importance of health & wellbeing and ensure this is prioritised in everyday life at the school.

Economic:

• Sound financial management: MCS will maintain its sound financial position, to ensure the School can weather economic pressures and unexpected shocks, and thus secure its place in the future as one of the country’s leading Independent Schools.
• Sustainable investment: MCS will ensure staff have the option to make sustainable choices for their pension investments and the School’s endowment will be managed in a sustainable way.

Roles & Responsibilities

The Bursar chairs the Sustainability Committee and therefore has overall responsibility for the School’s sustainability strategy. The Bursar reports to the Governors termly.

The Deputy Head (Education Development) is responsible for ensuring Sustainability is addressed through the curriculum.

The Sustainability Committee is comprised of the Master’s Advisory Committee, the School Surveyor, the School Catering Manager and any other volunteers. Staff are welcome to join the Committee at any time by contacting the Bursar.