Bath and North East Somerset

Energy Futures

Energy Futures, a project funded by Bath and North East Somerset Council, supports schools in taking action to cut their electricty consumption and reduce their carbon footprint. The project is pupil-led, using behavioural change to achieve measurable results through a short, high profile campaign. After monitoring the school’s electricity use for two weeks and conducting habit checks to establish baseline data, the whole school becomes involved in an energy saving campaign.

As part of the project, schools are provided with:

• Loan and installation of an ‘OWL’ electricity monitor which allows pupils to read real-time and cumulative electricity consumption.

• A pupil-friendly survey to establish the school's electricity usage habits.

• Training for a team of pupils on how to use the OWL and conduct the habit check survey.

• Support in creating and implementing and energy reduction action plan and campaign that enages staff and pupils.

• Guidance and resources to support teachers to include work on climate change and energy efficiency in classroom teaching.

Feedback from schools involved in the project has been very positive. As well as reductions in electricity consumption of between 9% and 20%, they report increased awareness of energy issues amongst both pupils and staff.

"We made the whole school aware of saving energy and environmental issues – the project got the whole school going!"  St Nicholas Primary, Radstock

"The best thing about this project was the practical, hands on approach and clear results." Farmborough Primary, Bath

For detailed case studies from two of the schools involved in this project click on the links below:

Newbridge Primary School case study

St Philip's Primary School case study