Bloxham Sustainability Challenge goes nationwide with Esri UK and Dalcour Maclaren
UK schools adopt Bloxham Sustainability Challenge, using Esri UK GIS and Dalcour Maclaren mentoring to deliver live sustainability briefs and career pathways.
The Bloxham Sustainability Challenge (BSC) is scaling into a national UK program that connects schools with environmental consultants and geospatial specialists to explore pathways into green careers.
Created by Bloxham School with land consultancy Dalcour Maclaren and supported by Esri UK, the challenge uses live briefs to mirror professional sustainability planning and decision-making.
The latest edition, announced at the Royal Geographical Society, includes schools such as Rochdale Sixth Form College, Maidstone Grammar School for Girls, and Robert Gordon’s College. Organizers say 70 students attended in person, with sessions livestreamed to schools from the Isle of Wight to Aberdeen. The format mixes demonstrations, workshops, and networking with sustainability professionals, including a lunch with Dalcour Maclaren degree apprentices. Naomi Davis, DfE Youth Sustainability Champion, took part in the program launch.
Claire Evans, Head of Geography at Bloxham School and co-creator of the challenge, says, “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.”
Skills focus and demand for talent
Students report exposure to the trade-offs in planning. One student says, “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 adds that participation has led her to follow more sustainability issues and “more critically analyse political decisions surrounding them.”
Esri UK provides access to GIS to apply spatial analysis in student projects. Katie Hall, Head of Education at Esri UK, comments, “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." Dalcour Maclaren mentors teams and highlights hiring demand.
Joanna Middleton, Head of Talent Acquisition at Dalcour Maclaren, adds, “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.”
