Young Energy People 2010

Background

Over the past 2 years Severn Wye Energy Agency (SWEA) have been piloting Young Energy People (YEP!) in six schools throughout Gloucestershire. In collaboration with the participant schools we have worked to develop a whole school energy saving ethos and management practice through the development and training of a student lead energy management team. SWEA are now looking to recruit 15 schools for the second phase of this exciting project which is planned to run from January to July 2010.

The pilot project proved particularly successful with the schools involved reporting a number of positive outcomes. The project is flexible enough to meet a variety of needs and to be of relevance to a range of ages and abilities. Some schools found that the project engaged children that had previously proved difficult to engage, whilst others used the project to challenge and extend higher ability pupils. All of the students involved grew in confidence as the project progressed, developing their presentation and speaking skills and engaging in quality discussion. Schools involved also found that working on the project helped to build a more cohesive school community with students, teachers and support staff coming together to work in partnership. In addition, schools have identified how the project has helped to support and improve business management practices whilst substantially reducing running costs. An additional benefit has been the strong community aspect of the project where the schools involved have been able to work together on inter-school events, taking their messages into the wider community.

We would also like to thank Gloucestershire County Council for their support of this project. Through this project they aim to; support schools in meeting Carbon Reduction Commitments, and reduce their contribution to climate change whilst developing young people and helping them become agents of change throughout the school community.

Aims

YEP! is working 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 following the programme the following aims will be met:

  1. Increased awareness of:
    1. Energy Efficiency
    2. Renewable Energy Sources
    3. Climate Change Issues

    Among both teachers
    and students
  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:

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

Project Activity

How will YEP! be implemented in schools?

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

    2. Participant schools will be expected to make a formal commitment to te action at their school through signing an agreement that outlines the minimum requirements of the school and the commitment of support from SWEA.

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

    3. Whole school interest in the project will be initiated and students will be recruited to the school energy management team (SEMT) through Recruitment Assemblies delivered by SWEA. Interested students will be required to apply for specific roles in the SEMT according to job descriptions provided and to undergo an interview process with SWEA to establish an appropriate placement for each individual.

  3. Carry out an initial assessment of the school site in preparation for student surveying

  4. SWEA staff will visit the site to identify an appropriate area to be surveyed and key observation points for the students. Background preparation will be carried out by SWEA staff to establish the baseline consumption for each school through billing information analysis, to provide a basis to set up 'The School Energy Diary' an on-going monitoring tool.

The project will be delivered in four main stages

Throughout the project opportunities will be made available for schools to work together and share best pactice.
All students involved will review a certificate in recognition of their achievements.

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 possibly. You will also receive free technical advice to help you in completing the energy survey and developing appropriate recommendations.

In addition we will:

Funding

GCC are currently offering 15 schools throughout the region the opportunity to take part by funding SWEA in the region of £5000 per school.

Key Achievements to date

As a result of the pilot project the following results have been achieved:

As a result of YEP work we have also successfully seized the opportunity to build on the energy saving work at Tewkesbury school in the DCSF funded 'Towards Zero Carbon School'

Resources

See our resources for schools page. Resources specifically aimed at secondary schools will be coming soon.