cartridge recycling scheme, to include the
distribution of envelopes for recycling ink
cartridges and mobile phones to all of the
King's community. Next term we plan to look
at paper purchasing and have a clothing bank
on site.
Energy
Our energy consumption is now well monitored,
partly due to new technology from the
electricity companies through the use of
SMART metering. The Woodard Schools are
required to comply with the Carbon Reduction
Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme (CRC)
Compliance, and the next few years will see
major impacts on energy efficiency
programmes. One of the KSS projects this year
looked at using solar power to support hot
water heating in one of the boarding houses.
As a result we have just commissioned a study
of the whole of the King's site, to look at the
feasibility of developing renewable energy
schemes for the college, including the
swimming pool.
To support this at a local level we need to have
energy saving campaigns for staff and pupils, to
take action to reduce our consumption.
Food
With the biodiversity and energy themes
occupying most of our time this year, our food
and food waste theme has taken something of
a back seat. Next year we plan to review the
position, and include the monitoring of food
waste from the dining hall and kitchens, and
the purchase of locally-sourced meat and
produce. Good news is that the Chaplain's
chickens always have a ready supply of fresh
green veg!
Transport
We have re-assessed our original project to look
at the implications of the entire school travel
and transport activities, and considered the
obligation placed on the school to produce a
School Travel Plan (STP). We have decided
that an STP will be forthcoming, but detailing
only the requirements as stipulated by the
regulations.
The next stage will be to revise the draft online
survey which will be sent out to all parents.
We would also like to propose that school trips
going abroad might consider
carbon offset schemes to
mitigate their carbon footprint.
There is a company based
locally who can advise on
suitable projects to invest in.
Education
KSS themes are embedded in
the curriculum across most age
groups. Some of the most
successful events included a
3rd form series of workshops
from the Somerset Waste Action Programme
Initiative, and to mark the 2010 International
Year of Biodiversity, a group of 6th formers
gave an inspiring presentation to the whole
school on "What is biodiversity?".
The 6th form Science Weekend was entitled
Transport for the Future. Professor John
Constable from Riversimple gave a visionary
lecture on the manufacture of a hydrogen car,
and taking it to the market - a project which is
now under way. The Saturday morning session
took the form of a challenge where pupils
designed and competed in the Great Egg Race,
to transport a real egg from one side of the
theatre to the other using as little energy as
possible. The King's Dragons' Den then judged
the winner and awarded £100 prize money.
Next year we are planning to have another full
programme of presentations and lectures for
the King's community.
Community Outreach
This year's outreach programme included
workshops at King's which were then presented
to local primary schools; topics included
Rainforest Ecology and Pond-Dipping,
Exploding Jelly Babies and Custard, and
Renewable Energy in TREC. Visiting schools
were delighted with the subjects offered, and
the children left enthused about science outside
the classroom. These workshops have been
run with the support of pupils from the 4th to
6th form, and we are looking to recruit another
new group of enthusiastic pupils this autumn.
Aluredian
21
And finally …
We have come a long way
from the initial ideas and
suggestions when
establishing this project in
the minds and actions of the
school community. We could
not have achieved what we
have so far without the
support of the academic and
support staff, and pupils.
A huge thank you to
everyone who has been
involved over the last two
years.