school install wind turbine

26 November 2007: Pannal Primary School in Pannal, Harrogate has become the first primary school in North Yorkshire to install a wind turbine in its grounds.

 

The school has always encouraged the children to value their environment both locally and globally and says it is a further statement of the school’s commitment to promoting sustainability.  The installation of the wind turbine will allow the school to continue to enrich the educational environment beyond the bounds of the national curriculum.

 

Liz Elvidge, Headteacher, said:  “The children were thrilled to watch the turbine slowly being assembled and winched into place and even more excited to see the turbine blades spinning in the breeze.”

 

The school should be provided with about 17,000 kilowatts of free electricity each year.  This energy will be used by the school and the excess electricity will be fed back into the national grid.

 

Pannal Primary School already audits its electricity consumption and will be able to directly compare costs before and after installation to accurately calculate electricity savings. 

 

Janet O’Connor, Vice Chair of the School’s Governing Body, who has been leading on the project, added:  “The financial savings that we make by generating our own electricity and by selling excess back to the grid will be re-invested in the school to further benefit the children’s education.  In addition, the reduction in the school’s carbon emissions will have a direct impact on the environment.”

 

Energy saving light fittings have already been installed around the school meaning that every unit of electricity generated by the turbine is used to its maximum effect. Energy agents in each class turn off the lights at the end of the school day.

 

Water hippos and push taps installed in the toilets have reduced water consumption by an amazing 40% and the school is also a keen recycler and composter.

 

The project was funded by grants and the school is hugely indebted to the following organisations: Scottish Power Green Energy Trust; Low Carbon Building Programme; Awards For All Lottery Grant.  They are also grateful to Lindsay Cook, Harrogate Borough Council’s Environment Projects Officer whose help in completing the funding forms was invaluable.

 

The school also wishes to thank ARUP whose generous help with the geotechnical survey ensured firm foundations for the turbine.  In addition thanks to the school PTA who have funded a display panel, which will act as an invaluable learning tool for our children now and in the future. ENDS

 

FURTHER INFORMATION:  Liz Elvidge and Janet O’Connor are available at school on 01423 872407. 

 

MEDIA CONTACT:  Andrew Darling, Press Office, North Yorkshire County Council 01609 780780.

School Grounds

If you want to redevlop your school grounds to make them more fun,, greener and just generally nicer places to play in,  Learning Through Landscapes are a charity set up to help and inspire you. go to  http://www.ltl.org.uk/ to find out more

Better still they are offering cash for grounds redevelopment. It is conjunction with the Royal Bank Of Scotland

http://www.ltl.org.uk/schools_and_settings/programmes/primary-programmes.htm?t=1&item=58 

 

Get them young

SCHOOL’S PUPILS ARE GROWING UP
May 20 2008 by Hazel Ettienne, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

A headteacher’s vision to create an environmentally-friendly school which embraces all areas of learning is bearing fruit – and vegetables! HAZEL ETTIENNE reports

APTLY-NAMED headteacher Dora Plant has helped children, staff and parents at Ashbrow Infant and Nursery create a “Forest School” in Sheepridge.

Over the last three years a neglected patch of land has been transformed into an outdoor learning “paradise” which every one of the school’s 182 pupils spends time in every week, come rain or shine.

Mrs Plant said: “Outdoor learning is incredibly stimulating and children in open spaces benefit from deep learning in a multi-sensory way.

“No two days are the same.

“They learn about the environment and how to care for the world for generations in the future.

“We teach them from an early age about sustainability and the problems which different people from all over the world face.

“Working outdoors also teaches the children skills for the future, including teamwork, leadership skills, perseverance and the opportunity to communicate effectively with others. All qualities which employers of the future are looking for.”

The garden offers a wealth of opportunities for children to metaphorically “grow” and extend their learning across the whole curriculum.

Raised beds will produce courgettes, potatoes, beans, peas, sweetcorn and beetroot during the summer months and the area’s 30 fruit trees and bushes will bear fruit in the autumn.

Hens named Shadow and Snowie – Ginger was eaten by a fox – help children learn about life cycles and bereavement.

The hens produce eggs daily which are raffled for children to take home.

The area also includes a lavender labyrinth used for games and map reading, a well-used pond, two impressive willow domes, a dragon fly mosaic, a large outdoor circle with storytellers chair, ladybird boxes and oak trees with felt life-cycle sculptures.

Whatever the weather, children enjoy the great outdoors, thanks to a well-stocked room filled with wellingtons, raincoats, hats, gloves and sunhats, for all shapes and sizes.

The school stresses the environmental message with compost and playground monitors and energy-saving initiatives, including giving up light in the dining room for Lent!

Paper is recycled and energy-saving light bulbs are handed out to parents to ensure the message is taken home.

Future plans include basket and lantern-making using the school’s own willow along with day camps and working with local junior schools to form friendships and partnerships in the great outdoors.

Mrs Plant added: “Every aspect of the curriculum can be taught outside.

“If you’re excited by what you are doing in the outdoors, you are more likely to retain and remember that for the future.”

http://www.examiner.co.uk/news/local-west-yorkshire-news/2008/05/20/school-s-pupils-are-growing-up-86081-20933683/