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Energy in the Curriculum

There are a number of award schemes that reward schools for improving their environmental performance. Some are solely energy focused, such as the Ashden Awards, whilst others include energy amongst a range of environmental themes. In some cases there are financial prizes for schools demonstrating best practice. The key awards available to UK schools are featured below.

Energy and Environmental Award Schemes for Schools

Eco-Schools

Eco-Schools is a programme for environmental management and certification, and sustainable development education, for schools. Its holistic, participatory approach and combination of learning and action make it an ideal way for schools to embark on a meaningful path to improving their environments and their local communities.

Energy is one of a number of environmental themes within the Eco-Schools programme. Eco-Schools encourages a whole school approach to managing energy efficiently and provides a valuable context for the teaching and learning of energy.

Details of the Eco Schools programme, which operates throughout the
whole of the UK, can be found at www.eco-schools.org.uk

Sustainable Learning

Sustainable Learning provides a structured, task based approach to improving the management of energy and water in schools. By completing a series of tasks schools are rewarded with national accreditation and can access an A-G rating for their premises, in line with the requirements of the EU Directive on Energy Performance in Buildings Schools working through the programme have realised energy reductions of 10% on average and have a better understanding of how energy and water is used in their schools.

To find out more visit www.sustainablelearning.info

Ashden Awards

The Ashden Awards are for individuals and organisations which have made a difference, by successfully using sustainable energy at a local level. They range from UK schools which have integrated sustainable energy in their teaching and practice, to schemes providing basic services by using renewable energy in remote areas of Africa, Asia and Latin America.

The Ashden Awards produces reports, photographs and five-minute films on the achievements of winners, and these really bring to life the problems and - crucially - the solutions found. The Ashden Awards also provides free educational materials that have been developed around examples of some of the Award winners, to promote and encourage thinking about sustainable energy solutions. Whether you are a classroom teacher or assistant, on the senior management team, a governor or a site manager, you can be involved with making a difference to energy use in your school.

For further details see www.ashdenawards.org