Exploring Sustainability with Nurture Landscapes

The Downe House Global Internships Programme gives Sixth Form students an early introduction to work life in a global context. By gaining professional experience before university, students develop confidence, clarity about career paths, and a competitive edge. Placements are supported by the school, allowing students to experience real industries overseas while exploring different cultures. 

This summer, Becky and Bex spent their internship with Nurture Landscapes, a company focused on environmentally-driven services. The placement offered hands-on experience across multiple departments, including tender documents, acquisitions, climate resilience, and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) practices. They also spent time with teams in HR, marketing, IT, and even the gritting department, learning how different parts of the business work together.

One of the highlights was Becky donning a bee suit to examine bee hives. Despite her fear of bees, she took on the challenge and had a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Bex’s favourite moment was visiting Winnersh Triangle Business Park, where she could see how the work of different departments came together in practice.

It was truly an eye-opening experience to learn more about sustainability and the structure of an environmentally-driven business.

– Becky
The internship gave me a deep insight into how a national service provider works — it was both educational and eye-opening.

– Bex

Throughout the placement, Becky and Bex collaborated on a presentation exploring how sustainability could be applied in school life. This encouraged them to think creatively and reflect on the lessons learned from their internship.

Beyond practical skills, the experience taught them the importance of sustainability, teamwork, and eco-friendly practices. They left inspired to make small changes in their everyday lives and with a deeper understanding of how businesses can operate responsibly.

This internship is a perfect example of the Downe House Internships Programme in action: giving students the chance to explore industries hands-on, gain professional insight, and grow personally while being supported in a real-world setting.