Sustainable school to have own wind turbine
Open day: Friday November 18th 1-3pm
Sustainability is at the heart of Sutton First School and its latest venture, a wind turbine in the school grounds, so impressed the Broads Authority’s Sustainable Development Fund panel that it was awarded almost twice the grant that the school applied for.
The innovative school for five to eight year olds has been given £2,143 towards installing a small wind turbine to power nest box cameras on a bird hide. The turbine will also power lights, a television monitor and video equipment which will allow bird watchers inside the hide to watch activity in the nesting boxes.
Work on putting up the bird hide will begin in mid December and the wind turbine is to be installed in the New Year. The amenity will be available for use by other community groups once it is established. Grants from Sutton Parish Council and the British Dragonfly Association have also supported the project.
Nigel Dark, Sustainable Development Fund administrator, said:
“We were so impressed with the school’s idea that we agreed to fund even more of the project than was originally asked for. The school is doing a great job in teaching its pupils how to care for the environment in their formative years.”
The school, which has initiated paper and mobile phone recycling and composting, is launching its new project AWE (A Wonderful Environment) with an open afternoon on Friday November 18th 1- 3pm.
As well as other activities and demonstrations the school will start planting a hedge alongside the boundary of the wildlife area.
The Broads Authority Countryside Ranger Team has helped the school re-site an old pond in a quieter area of the grounds and put in plants. Aquatic baskets for these were donated by P & A Plant Supplies of Sutton.
Eilish Rothney, Countryside Ranger for the Ant and Thurne said:
“The staff’s enthusiasm and commitment to creating a wildlife area and involving the children in looking after their environment is fantastic. As the project progresses it will provide great opportunities for wildlife and for a rich educational environment for the children.”
The school benefits from two other projects which provide training in environmental education for both teachers and pupils and which are both financed by the Broads Authority’s Sustainable Development Fund. Being a Broads Futures school it is receiving environmental training, both in and out of school, from the How Hill Trust and Norfolk Country Council. The school has also signed up to Broader Energy Choices and will send a teacher and the caretaker on a course to learn about sustainable energy in January. The school will also be working with SWAC (School Waste Action Club) in the spring term.
Sutton First recently won an Eco Schools bronze certificate which recognises achievement in working towards a sustainable lifestyle. It has set up a School Council of pupil representatives and runs an after school environmental club. The children have had input into the development of a travel plan to encourage pupils to walk to school by flagging up safe routes in Sutton. They are also planning a cycle day, which will demonstrate cycle maintenance.
Headteacher Barbara Carter said:
“We are trying to do our bit to look after the planet. We recognise the potential of the environment as an outdoor classroom and believe it is really important to look after it. I see this as a school priority and all the children can relate to the project."
“They are really enthusiastic and want to be involved. We greatly appreciate all the support that we have received, particularly from the hard working Broads Authority team.”
The Broads Authority has £40,000 of the Sustainable Development Fund left to allocate by April 2006. Anyone with ideas for projects that promote sustainability in the Broads should contact Nigel Dark on 01379 668750 who can advise on their suitability and send an application pack. There are downloadable guidance notes on the grants page of the Broads Authority’s website. The deadline for new applications is December 21st.
15/11/05
