Upcycling coffee grounds into a body scrub is one of the lessons Cogitas students have enjoyed this term. As well as making the scrub, Year 12s learned about the challenges a small-scale beauty company that began with upcycled coffee products faced. It now has a turnover of £3.5 million. 

Sutton Grammar's Sustainability Module, led by Ms Cummins, is inspired by the Our Common Future (Brundtland Report). It states that “Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs". Lessons explore how individuals and wider society can make sustainable choices.

Students have investigated the eco-friendly Manor Park Cafe that is built with straw and natural materials; the utopian vision of post-war London architects; community kitchens that use out of date but safe food; upcycled furniture businesses; The Library of Things social enterprise; repairable Fairphones; fast versus circular fashion and energy production. 

Student Charlotte Bennett said: "I like how we learn about real world businesses that do this type of thing and then we get to try it ourselves". 

Leila Hill added: "I chose the module because I'm interested in pursuing a career that involves sustainability and this course has given me a good insight".