PUPILS petitioning for compulsory climate change lessons in schools have amassed almost 60,000 signatures.

Four girls from Cheney School in Headington set up the campaign last month, after becoming concerned that they have 'barely learned about the climate crisis at school.' 

Although climate change is already on geography and science syllabuses, the 15-year-olds say it needs to become a 'core' and 'compulsory' part of study.

By last week the petition had been backed by 40,000 people, including BBC journalist John Simpson. 

READ AGAIN: Cheney School pupils petition for climate change lessons

Support has since snowballed and the number of signatures is nearing 59,000. 

The secondary school pupils who penned the petition were among hundreds of Oxfordshire pupils who joined the YouthStrike4Climate walk-out in February.

READ AGAIN: Student strike - all the pictures and reaction

One person who signed the petition wrote: "Climate Change is the biggest threat that we are facing. Global action to tackle it has been painfully slow.

"It is shameful that children have to walk out of school in order to educate adults about the urgent nature of this crisis that is already beginning to effect all of us.

"Well done for taking action on climate change and insisting that more is done to learn about and tackle climate change at school."

ALSO READ: Climate change is reaching 'tipping point,' say Oxford experts 

Another added: "This beautiful planet of ours deserves to be looked after.

"As someone who works in a primary school I am disgusted that nothing in the curriculum looks at how our planet works or how to look after all fauna and flora. 

"The government needs to address it urgently."

The petition also calls for inspectors to assess whether or not schools are being run sustainably.