Sir David Attenborough hails Harrogate school’s new annual Conservation Day idea
Youngsters at a Harrogate school have been praised by a British broadcasting legend for launching their own David Attenborough Day.
Pupils at Harrogate Ladies’ College and Highfield were delighted when their plans for a new conservation day at the school received the great man’s blessing.
Regarded as a national treasure, the world-renowned broadcaster, natural historian and writer even sent them a personal, handwritten correspondence.
"To receive a handwritten note from Sir David is a wonderful feeling,” said Eco Committee reps, Daisy and Georgia, at Highfield.
“It is amazing to know he is aware of our event and we are all very proud to be honouring such a wonderful human being.”
The school will hold its inaugural David Attenborough Day on Attenborough’s 100th birthday on Friday, May 8.
The aim is to empower the next generation of eco-warriors to shape the school’s environmental impact.
Activities for the celebration will include a community bake sale with proceeds donated to a wildlife conservation charity, screening of wildlife documentaries and pupils creating endangered animal displays, and providing the wider community with key facts to help conservation.
The initiative began in the Prep 4 classroom where pupils were studying "Eco-Warriors" and the life of Sir David Attenborough.
Captivated by his lifelong dedication to the planet, the class intended to launch a national petition via Change.org to create a public holiday for his 100th birthday.
After sending letters to Sir David, whose TV career has has spanned eight decades, the school received a surprise – handwritten responses from Attenborough himself.
While he admitted he would be "extremely embarrassed" by a national day in his honour, Attenborough expressed his delight at the school’s proposal to hold an annual celebration, writing that he was "very happy" for them to proceed and hoped the event would be a "great success".
In June 2025, the school announced plans to begin the gradual transition to a fully co-ed school from 2-18 years.
Alongside the move to a co-ed senior school, their family of schools will be known as Duchy College from September 2026.
For more information about the school, visit: https://www.hlc.org.uk/about-hlc/duchy-college-harrogate/