Severn Wye Energy Agency

Young Energy People

Background

The Young Energy People (YEP!) project developed by SWEA and funded by Gloucestershire County Council, seeks to develop a whole school energy saving ethos and management practice
through the development and training of a student led energy
management team.

The project firmly links to one of the principle aims of secondary education which is to develop students who are well prepared to face the challenges of finding jobs and facing their first days in employment. Schools provide programmes of Work Related Learning (WRL) for this purpose and the YEP! project provides an excellent opportunity to integrate sustainable energy education into the school curricula. In addition our project schools are provided with opportunities to take part in a range of energy and climate change-related activities and events.

Following the success of our Pilot Project, YEP! is currently being implemented in a further 15 secondary schools throughout Gloucestershire as part of YEP! 2010.

Aims

YEP! works with students to initiate and support sustainable energy practices in schools and to reduce the associated negative effects of energy use.

As a result of the programme, the following aims will be met:

1. Increased Student & Teacher awareness of:


1. Energy Efficiency
2. Renewable Energy Sources
3. Climate Change Issues


2. Reduced consumption and an increased awareness of small-scale renewable energy opportunities within the school

Links to National Education Objectives:

As well as meeting the above aims and objectives, the YEP project is also designed to tie in with a range of national education policies and agendas including:

1. The National Curriculum 2008
2. Every Child Matters
3. The National Framework for Sustainable Schools
4. Work related learning
5. 14-19 Diplomas

Therefore, YEP should not be seen as an add-on and should not involve a great deal of extra work; it can be fully integrated into existing curriculum plans and activities.

Project Activity

How is YEP! implemented in schools?

Stage 1: Preparation

1. Formal agreement to be signed by participant school and SWEA

Participant schools make a formal commitment to the project through signing an agreement that outlines the minimum requirements of the school and the commitment of support from SWEA.

2. Initial assessment of school site and energy performance

An initial assessment of the school site is carried out by a member of SWEAs technical team in preparation for the student survey and a School Energy Diary is set up to enable ongoing monitoring of the school's energy performance.

3. Establish a student based School Management Energy Team (SEMT)

Whole school interest in the project is initiated and students are recruited to the School Energy Management Team (SEMT) through recruitment assemblies delivered by SWEA. Interested students are required to apply for specific roles in the SEMT according to job descriptions provided. Successful applicants undergo an interview process with SWEA staff to establish an appropriate role for each individual. Job roles include: Senior Project Managers, Project Managers, IT Managers, Marketing Managers and Energy Advisors.

Stage 2: Project overview and Training

Students provided with an overview of energy use and its impact on the environment.

• Students assess the current energy performance of their school using baseline data.
• SEMT trained to undertake a technical energy survey and produce an energy survey report.

Stage 3: Survey and Energy Report

• SEMT become actively involved in surveying their school building.
• Students produce an energy report and outline recommendations to improve energy efficiency

Stage 4: Action Planning and implementation

• Students develop and implement an action plan and launch an energy efficiency campaign to raise whole-school awareness and work towards energy reduction targets.

Stage 5: Review and monitoring

• Students review progress and revise their action plan accordingly.
• Students continue to monitor and review of energy consumption

What support can schools expect from SWEA?

Schools will be supported by the staff at SWEA throughout the project. Our education staff will be on hand and will visit the school regularly throughout the process, ensuring that the project runs as smoothly as possible. You will also receive free technical advice to help you in completing the energy survey and developing appropriate recommendations.

In addition we will:

• Provide a named contact responsible for co-ordinating the work in and between schools.
• Freely provide all educational tools and resources for implementing the work.
• Work with the school to establish a mutually agreed plan for implementation of the student work during the academic year of September '10 - July'11
• Provide free technical and educational support for the running of the programme and creation of a school energy management team.
• Support schools in carrying out a technical energy survey and developing associated recommendations.
• Provide the school with a full evaluation, providing information on the impact of the project in terms of energy savings and the development of pupil awareness.

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Severn Wye Energy Agency Ltd, Unit 15 Highnam Business Centre, Highnam, Gloucester, GL2 8DN
Telephone 01452 835060 :: Fax 01452 526208