Climate Change Minister unveils sunny future for college
Gregory Barker, Minister of State for Climate Change, joined the staff and students at Claverham Community College in Battle on Friday 8th July to officially unveil the college’s new green technology.
The eco-conscious school, on North Trade Road, has installed 24 solar panels on to its sunny south-facing gym roof, to generate energy and help tackle climate change. It is anticipated that each year the panels will generate nearly 3,500 units of electricity and reduce the college’s carbon dioxide emissions by more than four tonnes.
The £23,000 renewable energy project went ahead thanks to grants of £11,500 from the EDF Energy Green Fund and £11,500 from the Government’s Low Carbon Building’s Programme.
Greg Barker MP, who supported the school’s own fundraising efforts for the project, said:
“I know the students and staff at Claverham have worked really hard to secure these solar panels for their school. So it is fantastic that they are finally in place and I look forward to seeing them officially launched, saving the school money on bills and producing local, renewable energy. Congratulations to everyone involved.”
The solar panel installation is not Claverham Community College’s first green endeavour. The college has already implemented several energy saving devices on site, such as movement-sensitive lighting, loft and cavity wall insulation and heat pumps to heat their swimming pool. The college has also been working with the local authority , East Sussex County Council, on a project to build an ‘eco-classroom’ using natural materials such as compacted earth, recycled paper and locally-sourced timber. This project is due to be completed for September 2011.
Awareness of sustainability is promoted through various aspects of the curriculum at the college. Students studying for the BTEC Land and Environment diploma are growing their own fruits and vegetables on site for example, as they learn about the importance of habitat conservation.
Mr Paul Swatton, principal of Claverham Community College said: “We are very pleased that we have been part of this project which, I am sure, will be of great benefit to the college, both practically and educationally. Our involvement in this initiative makes a clear statement about Claverham Community College’s commitment to sustainability.
“I am extremely grateful to Mrs Pitman, one of our Science teachers, our student ‘Eco-Reps’ and Mr Mercer, our Site Manager, for the energy and commitment that they have put into seeing this project through to completion.”
Robyn Broughton, EDF Energy’s schools programme development manager, said: “We are proud to support this project at Claverham Community College. Pupils will be able to learn about renewable technology first-hand, while the school benefits from a low-carbon solution that saves money and is more sustainable, reducing carbon emissions. Hopefully it will inspire generations of children and young people to play their own part in tackling climate change.”
The college is also registered with The Pod (www.jointhepod.org), EDF Energy’s online, interactive sustainable schools programme, run in partnership with Eco-Schools, which aims to encourage schools to become more sustainable through a variety of curriculum-based projects and activities.
EDF Energy has awarded over £4.8million to 270 renewable energy projects since the Green Fund was launched in 2001, including more than £2 million to 117 educational projects. The fund supports renewable energy projects which produce power from the sun, wind, water and geothermal sources that reduce greenhouse gases linked to global warming.
Awards of up to £30,000 are available for projects in Great Britain and such funds have helped charities, local authorities, churches, water mills and other non-profit organisations to generate clean, green energy in their own community.
Photo Greg with Head Teacher Mr Swatton