Twelve more schools go green

A FURTHER 12 schools in Warrington have signed up to a local programme than aims to make £76,000 savings in energy costs – bringing the total to 21.
They have joined the second phase of the low carbon schools programme which runs until April 2015. It has been developed by Warrington Borough Council in partnership with the Carbon Trust.
Schools make up 40 per cent of Warrington’s carbon footprint and the programme will help them address energy consumption and bills.
As part of the programme they will receive one to one support on saving energy, how to understand energy audits and making their buildings more energy efficient. Group sessions will allow schools to learn from the experiences of others.
The programme aims to deliver energy cost savings of £76,000 which equates to 470 tonnes of carbon a year during the programme, and £300,000/1,800 tonnes of carbon each year after it has been completed. This will mean a 13 per cent reduction in carbon emission from local schools.
The roll out of the programme follows a successful pilot during last year with nine schools, which included testing various energy saving methods and ideas.
In the next phase the 12 primary schools are working to reduce their energy bills before March next year. The schools are Alderman Bolton, Birchwood CE, Broomfield’s Junior, Cinnamon Brow CE, Dallam CP, Grappenhall Hayes, Locking Stumps, Newchurch, Park Road, Ravenbank, Thelwall Community Junior, and Woolston CE.
Cllr Linda Dirir (pictured), the borough council’s executive member for highways transportation and climate change, said: “It was evident on the pilot that pupils and staff have been made more aware of how simple behavioural changes such as labelling light switches can save energy and reduce their overall energy bills and carbon footprints by taking part in the low carbon schools programme.”