COP26 Olivia and students on BBC TV

By Climate Change Correspondent for Jill Dando News

Olivia FInch, 17, has been interviewed for BBC TV Points West along with students from The King Alfred School Academy after her Glasgow COP26 experience. Watch here.

The programme was aired on BBC TV Points West.

International award winning eco work

Olivia, now at TKASA, and Jack Clark, 16, achieved incredible success at Worle Community School Academy in Weston super Mare, Somerset which prompted the Glasgow visit.

They were also interviewed by Good Morning Britain on ITV live in Glasgow.

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.

Interviewing politicians about climate change

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: “Going to COP26 taught me so much that I didn’t know. There is so much that we can all do to make a difference.”

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

Fiona Bruce, James Cracknell and NASA astronaut

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.”

One of Britain’s best school based sixth forms

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 jgaskell@tkasa.org.u

Olivia, Jack and teacher live on ITV last week.