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Sir David Attenborough pens letter to Harrogate school ahead of conservation day

Tuesday, 5 May 2026 09:22

Pupils at Harrogate Ladies' College and Highfield with letters from Sir David Attenborough.

A Harrogate school is launching a new annual conservation event after receiving a personal, handwritten letter from Sir David Attenborough.

Pupils at Harrogate Ladies' College and Highfield (Duchy College from September 2026) are beginning a new tradition after hearing directly from the legendary naturalist ahead of his 100th birthday.

The school will hold its inaugural David Attenborough Day on Attenborough’s milestone birthday following a successful pupil-led campaign and a personal exchange with the iconic broadcaster and environmentalist.

The initiative began in the Prep 4 classroom, where pupils were studying “Eco-Warriors” and the life of Sir David Attenborough.

Inspired by his lifelong dedication to the planet, the class initially planned to launch a national petition via Change.org to create a public holiday for his 100th birthday on Friday 8th May.

However, after sending letters to Sir David, the pupils received an unexpected response - handwritten replies from the man himself.

While he admitted he would be “extremely embarrassed” by a national day in his honour, he expressed his support for the school’s idea, saying he was “very happy” for them to proceed and hoped the event would be a “great success”.

Highfield Eco Committee reps, Daisy and Georgia, said:

“To receive a handwritten note from Sir David is a wonderful feeling.

“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 upcoming David Attenborough Day is designed to inspire the next generation of eco-warriors to shape the school’s environmental impact.

Planned activities include a community bake sale raising funds for wildlife conservation, screenings of nature documentaries and pupil-led displays on endangered animals, offering key facts and guidance on how the wider community can support conservation efforts.

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