The Energy Curriculum

In introducing this area of study, we wish the children to learn about the issues facing us today in terms of global warming, climate change and possible solutions to our changing energy needs. We have written a new curriculum , which spans every year group, to utilise the renewable energy installations, the ecological resources and our technical facilities so that the children will learn about  all aspects of our current day geographical challenges in a first hand and relevant way. Our links with Ralph Allen Science College, St. Marks Business College, the Centre for Sustainabilty and the Energy saving Trust all contribute an outside interest and expertise that enhance this learning.

Last year we installed examples of solar; wind and water powered energy.  There are two types of Photovoltaic (PV) cells on the roofs; Thermomax solar tubes for a hot water system; a Water Wheel and a Wind Turbine.  We also have class equipment for solar experiments; a solar fountain and a bike that illustrates energy produced through  the human ‘power’ of cycling.  Children study the output from the various renewable energy installations and cross reference this with data from our weather station sensors. They will also gradually learn the technical backgrounds to these systems.

As well as learning about the creation of energy, it is also very important to start to understanding about the ways we spend and can conserve energy.  Through our work towards the awards for Eco School status and for the Energy Saving School accreditation children will be auditing what  types of energy are consumed at the school, and ways to cut down on these and to save energy.  Simple measures like always closing outside doors to keep in heat; reducing machines left on standby; fixing dripping taps; turning down radiators when it’s possible etc. can make quite an impact  to our energy consumption, particularly alongside the natural energy being produced by the installations.

We have found the children extremely enthusiastic to learn about these issues and when we set up the Eco Team found that almost half the school applied!  As a result, new Eco-Monitors are appointed each term so that as many children as possible can contribute  in additional ways through this role.  Their responsibilities range from daily recycling; maintaining some of the installations; collecting and inputting energy and weather data to the class interactive whiteboard systems; special animal/gardening work, to writing reports and giving talks to local businesses.