Christow Primary selected for green initiative
Christow Primary School has been selected to take part in an exciting new national initiative to save energy and cut carbon emissions.
Christow is one of just 40 schools across the country selected to be a Solar School. This is a ground-breaking initiative that helps schools to cut carbon emissions, boost budgets and teach pupils about energy. The school is planning to raise over £6,000 this year to install solar panels on its roof.
Headteacher David Lamoon said: “The school has a large south-facing roof, which will generate free renewable electricity. We will also be able to generate income by selling unused electricity back to the national grid and from feed-in tariffs.
“This means the school will have more money to spend on resources for the children. There will also be a huge educational benefit as our pupils will be involved in the whole process. Science, IT, literacy and maths links will be made by the teachers to bring their learning to life.”
Christow School will be taking part in the national launch of the Solar School scheme by the 10.10 organisation at on Wednesday, 10th October.
Devon County Council chairman and local county councillor Jerry Brook will be at the school to help launch the project. He said: “This is an excellent initiative which will save energy and provide a valuable learning opportunity for the pupils.”
Central Devon MP Mel Stride, who is Parliamentary Private Secretary to Energy Minister John Hayes, has already visited the school to lend his support to the campaign, and has kicked off the fundraising by sponsoring the first tile. He said "It is fantastic to see the efforts made by the staff, pupils and governors at Christow Community School to take part in this trail-blazing initiative, and I hope the whole community gets behind it. Thanks to an enterprise that demonstrates that the Big Society is thriving in rural Devon, Christow is laying the foundations for a sustainable future."
Mr Lamoon said the school would be seeking grants and business donations to provide the bulk of the target.
The fundraising is already off to a good start thanks to a recent gig in Christow by Exeter-based Lazy Lizard, which generated a donation of £100 from the event’s organisers Greener Teign, a community group dedicated to action on climate change.
Furthermore, Exeter-based installer Sun Gift Solar has offered to make a contribution of between £100 and £300 to Christow Solar for all solar panels they install in the area. See the website to find out more.
Local people and businesses can support the initiative by sponsoring solar tiles on Christow School’s Solar School webpage: http://www.solarschools.org.uk/christow/
There will also be a major fundraisng event with a Christmas Disco on the evening of December 8 at the Teign Valley Community Hall.
