Introduction
St Mary’s RC Primary Schools provides education for local children up until the age of 11. As a hub of local community activity, the school is ideally placed to showcase energy efficient behaviour and measures to enable everyone in the school community to apply the principles of energy efficiency in their own lives. Energy efficiency extends to the fabric of the building through fitting insulation.
What was involved
The environmental activity at St Mary’s RC Primary School involved the school management team making a commitment to improve the energy efficiency of the school building and encourage the pupils to get involved through the activities of St Mary’s Environment Club.
The Eco Club
The St Mary’s Environment Club was set up in 2009 to raise awareness of all environmental and energy saving issues across the school. All pupils that show an interest are able to join the Eco Warriors and each take a turn at being light monitors, litter pickers, responsible for watering plants and looking after their resident chickens ‘Sun and Shine’. Energy Monitoring is a regular feature of the work of the Eco Club; the eco warriors check lights and electrical equipment are turned off and computer hardware replaced with a more effective type.
The activities of the Eco Club have maintained an efficient level of energy use in the school and raised awareness of energy saving principles with the whole school community.
The school's energy performance rating has improved from category G in 2008 to category D in 2011.
Mineral wool insulation
In October 2011, mineral wool insulation was fitted in an empty space between the ceiling and the roof to keep the heat in and reduce energy bills. This measure will yield an annual carbon dioxide saving of 3 tonnes, the same as taking one car off the road. The school financed the insulation themselves and expect to recoup their costs in four years.
Outcomes
The Eco Club was awarded their first Green Flag by the Tidy Britain Group in 2010. http://www.keepbritaintidy.org/ecoschools/school?id=14217 Locally, the Eco Club was recognised in the Dudley Energy Heroes Awards 2010 for their energy saving activity.
In 2010 the school were successful in receiving a grant from the National Lottery Fund to develop part of their grounds into a conservation area, sensory garden and allotments. The pupils are now able to grow their own fruit and vegetables.
The school has recently forged links with a local business keen to work with the children in developing their awareness and understanding of how to save energy. They are in the process of arranging a visit for the Eco Warriors to see solar panels being fitted.
For further information
St. Mary's R.C. Primary School achieved Green Flag status on 29/04/10. http://www.keepbritaintidy.org/ecoschools/school?id=14217.
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