Following an expedition to see the effects of the climate change in the Antarctic, the head teacher of Ashley Primary School initiated an ambitious programme of sustainable energy work in the school, with active support from the governing body. Pupils are actively engaged in efforts to reduce energy consumption at school and at home, and participate in the promotion of the energy activities through film and case study material.

• Pupils monitor electricity consumption in each building using data provided by ecoDriver. The data can be viewed half hourly, daily, weekly and monthly, so that pupils can see the impact of their actions through their use of the system.
• Three school buildings are set weekly electricity consumption targets with a collective target of less than 100 kWh per day. Energy monitors share the data every Friday and the pupils are financially rewarded if targets are met.
• 71 staff, governors’ and pupils’ families have joined a Carbon Countdown Challenge to use less than 100 kWh of electricity per week in their homes.
• Fluorescent lamps in the old school building are being replaced by more efficient T5 versions, installed in existing fittings using an adaptor. Efficient IT equipment chosen, and wasteful appliances eliminated.
• Light sensors with an over-ride facility have been installed in cloakrooms and toilets of the new building. This building has solar tubes in classrooms, corridors and cloakrooms to bring daylight into dark areas.
• 35 kW biomass boiler installed in the original school building which burns wood pellets sourced locally. Double glazing has reduced heat loss from the building.
• 4.2 kWp photovoltaic array on the roof of the new teaching block, along with a bank of eight solar thermal evacuated tubes (11 kW).
• ecoDriver software system used to monitor electricity consumption and electricity generated by the PV array.
• £154,000 spent on sustainable energy measures, over half from the school’s own resources.
• Impressive 51% reduction in electricity use and 18% reduction in gas use between 2007 and 2008, saving about 14 tonnes/year CO2. Use continues to fall. Similar reductions in some of the Carbon Challenge homes.
• Plans for energy efficiency, passive solar heating, natural lighting, green roof and PV array in a £3 million new school build.

Read the rest at:
The Ashden Awards for Sustainable Energy