Green school holding training events to encourage others

Mar 16 2010 by Amy Hunt, The Journal

A SCHOOL which is aiming to be the first in Northumberland to go carbon neutral is holding training events to help others.

Whitfield Church of England Voluntary Aided First School has installed a raft of renewable energy measures including a wind turbine and solar photovoltaic panels to generate electricity.

Now it wants others to follow its lead and has secured funding for training events to allow it to share the secrets of its success.

James Watson, a regeneration consultant who has been working with the school on its green makeover, said: “UK schools could reduce their annual energy costs by £20m, while also preventing 300,000 tonnes of harmful greenhouse gases from entering the atmosphere.

“As places of learning, they also have a special role to play in preparing young people for the challenges of the future. Whitfield First School has become a true exemplar in the field and I hope that many others will follow its lead.”

School headteacher Liz Baker said: “The Government has set ambitious targets for reducing energy use in schools, putting many schools on a very steep learning curve.