E.ON’s 'Trailblazing Heroes' light the way to a greener tomorrow

E.ON has revealed the winners of its Trailblazing Heroes competition, a nationwide contest designed to ignite sustainability awareness among 11 to 14-year-olds.

A huge range of entries came in from across the UK, each one an ode to climate champions – famous and unsung – who’ve inspired a new generation to think, act, and lead on green issues.

And at the top of the leaderboard?

Wembley High Technical College in London, whose students didn’t just impress the judges – they left them amazed at the creativity and thinking involved in the entries.

Trailblazers who inspire the world

Their winning submissions shone a light on two global sustainability icons.

One – pictured below – was on Wangari Maathai, the Kenyan environmentalist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate who spearheaded a movement to plant over 30 million trees.

And another, also seen below, was on William Kamkwamba – the Malawian teenager who built a wind turbine from scrap to power his family’s home.

But judges praised all of Wembley High’s entries for their exceptional research, comprehension, passion and creativity, and were particularly struck by how the students connected global change to local action.

Their prize?

A dream visit from a footballing legend, an action-packed sustainability workshop for the entire year group and more from E.ON’s New Energy Academy initiative.

A school leading by example

Wembley didn’t stop at the top spot.

The school also claimed three highly commended entries, each earning a class set of reusable bottles – proof that the climate spirit is alive and well in every corner of their classrooms.

Four schools took home runner-up status: Bristol Free School, The Kingston Academy, Whitcliffe Mount School in West Yorkshire, and Ratton School in Eastbourne.

Each will receive a sustainability skills workshop and reusable bottles to continue help building practical, green skills for a better future.

Learning powers change

The competition is part of E.ON’s New Energy Academy, a curriculum-aligned education programme aiming to instill green confidence and curiosity in students.

Lessons are available free to schools and educators, offering an accessible path for teaching about energy, innovation, environmental stewardship – as well as green and employability skills.

Scott Somerville, Director of External Affairs at E.ON UK, believes the project goes beyond teaching – it’s about transformation.

He said: “What we’re seeing here isn’t just learning and education – it’s the start of future leadership.

“These young people are already showing us what courage, creativity and climate consciousness look like when they come together.

“And this competition was about helping young people realise they’re not just the leaders of tomorrow, they’re the changemakers of today.

“Our New Energy Academy aims to empower students with the skills and inspiration needed to lead the charge towards a more sustainable future in a fun and engaging way.

“With a host of free educational resources available to students, teachers and parents, we’re supporting young people with the opportunity to learn about and develop the green skills essential for a more sustainable future.

“Our New Energy Academy is about more than education – it’s about empowerment. We want young people to feel confident in their ability to lead the way to a new energy world, equipped with the skills and passion to make a real difference.”

Climate leadership starts here

E.ON’s vision of youth-led change is not without precedent.

Previous Trailblazers highlighted by students include Greta Thunberg, of course – but also unsung local heroes such as E.ON engineer Tony, who’s helping cut emissions in East London using ectogrid technology.

Other heroes the kids highlighted in their submissions including footballer and free school meals campaigner Marcus Rashford, pioneering broadcaster and biologist David Attenborough, Nobel Prize-winning chemist Marie Curie, diplomat and globally recognised climate change activist Christiana Figueres and Boyan Slat – CEO of The Ocean Cleanup.

The goal was to show climate leadership can come from anywhere and anyone.

As well as winners, there were 10 highly commended entries from schools across Scotland, Hampshire, Leicestershire and beyond.

E.ON’s competition’s open-ended format gave students free reign to express their ideas through writing, illustrations, or digital design.

The final judgement of the entries came down to assessing their originality, research depth, and clarity – skills mirroring the demands of a world in ecological transition.