Newtown High School, Powys

An energy saving project with school Eco-Committee – school energy survey and evaluation.

What did you do and how did you involve the whole school?

We completed an energy survey around the school building using heating sensors to see where energy and heat was escaping from. We also saw rooms where lights were being left on and where doors were being left open. We wrote a report and recommended to the SLT and governors where money and energy could be saved.

How and why did you decide on this target?

Using the Environmental Review and help from Severn Wye who sent a professional to help us complete the energy survey and lend us the equipment.

How has the project impacted on your school and your community?

The energy survey identified how as a school we could potentially save £24,000 a year and more importantly reduce our carbon emissions by 154tCO2. The suggestions were split into low, medium and high payback, so we could come up with both long- and short-term action plans.

How did you celebrate success and what are your next steps?

The governors and SLT highly praised the school Eco-Committee for their presentation and suggestions and the school celebrated by letting the community know through our newsletter.

I really enjoyed finding out about where energy was being lost within the school building but more importantly what we could do about it to reduce the energy loss and make the school more energy efficient.
K. M-R Year 11

The pupils worked together as a team to identify where savings could be made and how much energy and C02 could be saved every year. I was so proud of what they found out and how they presented their findings and action plan.
H Carter-Jones Eco-Schools Coordinator