Alex Creswick at the Royal Bath and West Show, with the solar-powered
rickshaw designed and re-built by him, Tom Adcock and Matt Enright. It won
a prize in the schools' competition for solar-powered vehicles King's
Sustainability
Strategy
J
ust over a year ago the Headmaster
asked if we could form a working
group to look at issues relating to
sustainability at King's. Response
was quite overwhelming from both
teaching and non-teaching staff, and
subsequently, in September 2008,
the King's Sustainability Strategy
was founded.
The working group is divided into themes, each
organised by a member of staff and supported
by a number of pupils and other staff.
The themes are Energy, Buildings and Water;
Waste and Recycling; Education; Transport;
Food and Drink and Biodiversity.
by
Julia Griffiths
and Roger Poland
Energy
A general energy assessment was
commissioned and conducted by environmental
management consultants. They highlighted
areas where energy and consumption savings
could be made to reduce our carbon footprint.
Various options in energy purchase are now
being explored, and our maintenance
department is looking at improving existing
insulation and building efficiency. There is a
major project to replace the roof over the
swimming pool and the parties involved are
investigating the possible use of solar energy to
heat the pool water. OWL energy monitors
have been positioned to provide electricity
consumption figures in key areas every minute
of the day. An energy awareness campaign
was launched at a school assembly,
encouraging students to switch off electrical
appliances and lights when not required, with
reminder stickers on all light switches.
Waste and Recycling
A paper collection scheme already operated in
the school, but it was agreed to increase
awareness by investing in dedicated recycling
bins. These have been made locally from
sustainable wood sources and were in place in
all classrooms and offices in the Summer term.
We already have separate collections for
different waste materials that give a financial
return and there are on-going discussions with
our waste contractor for further initiatives.
Education
One of the key criteria for KSS is to concentrate
on getting every year group involved in the
initiative. The 3rd form have taken part in two
workshops: the Carbon Challenge Roadshow
run by the Science Museum of London, and the
Somerset Waste Partnership Education Group
on recycling issues and solutions. A new
system was introduced this year for all 3rd
formers to attend an Environmental Awareness
Aluredian
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