This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/life-and-physics/2014/sep/12/how-to-set-up-your-own-solar-school
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| How to set up your own Solar School | How to set up your own Solar School |
| (4 days later) | |
| 9. Solar Schools | |
| “We managed to involve a rather sceptical community, and everybody’s sort of joined together,” says Sam White. “There’s a lot more crossover now between the people in the community and the school … It’s brought people together.” | “We managed to involve a rather sceptical community, and everybody’s sort of joined together,” says Sam White. “There’s a lot more crossover now between the people in the community and the school … It’s brought people together.” |
| White is a parent at Pendock Primary school in rural Worcestershire. Back in 2012 this tiny school of just 49 pupils was one of the first to sign up to 10:10’s Solar Schools project. They had an ambitious plan – to raise £9,000 to buy solar panels for their roof in just two terms. That’s impressive for any school but for one this size, some local residents felt it was out of their league. But just five months later, thanks to a dedicated group of school volunteers (and our back-up, we like to think) they hit their target. Now the school’s very own solar array sits proudly on the school roof – cutting the carbon emissions and saving the school money. In fact, on a sunny day they can provide the entire electricity needs of the school. | White is a parent at Pendock Primary school in rural Worcestershire. Back in 2012 this tiny school of just 49 pupils was one of the first to sign up to 10:10’s Solar Schools project. They had an ambitious plan – to raise £9,000 to buy solar panels for their roof in just two terms. That’s impressive for any school but for one this size, some local residents felt it was out of their league. But just five months later, thanks to a dedicated group of school volunteers (and our back-up, we like to think) they hit their target. Now the school’s very own solar array sits proudly on the school roof – cutting the carbon emissions and saving the school money. In fact, on a sunny day they can provide the entire electricity needs of the school. |
| When we first set up the Solar Schools project back in 2011, we wanted a project that would really bring renewable energy into the centre of communities. We wanted to cut carbon, but it was about more than that. By working with a well-loved institution at the centre of the community, we hoped to create a real buzz about the benefits of solar among pupils, parents and staff – and through their own positive practice experience, winning hearts and minds for renewable energy and tackling climate change. | When we first set up the Solar Schools project back in 2011, we wanted a project that would really bring renewable energy into the centre of communities. We wanted to cut carbon, but it was about more than that. By working with a well-loved institution at the centre of the community, we hoped to create a real buzz about the benefits of solar among pupils, parents and staff – and through their own positive practice experience, winning hearts and minds for renewable energy and tackling climate change. |
| But what we hadn’t really anticipated was the incredible social impact the project would have on the participants and wider community. As the volunteers reached out beyond the school gates, the communities rallied round in support. It has brought parents right into the heart of the school, started relationships with community groups and businesses that have lasted well beyond the solar fundraising, and left a legacy of greater confidence and new skills, such as using social media or public speaking for the first time. | But what we hadn’t really anticipated was the incredible social impact the project would have on the participants and wider community. As the volunteers reached out beyond the school gates, the communities rallied round in support. It has brought parents right into the heart of the school, started relationships with community groups and businesses that have lasted well beyond the solar fundraising, and left a legacy of greater confidence and new skills, such as using social media or public speaking for the first time. |
| Prof Sir Tim Brighouse, British educator and former schools commissioner for London, agrees. “I know many of the schools involved in Solar Schools and am hugely impressed by its impact on community involvement and how it motivates students.” | Prof Sir Tim Brighouse, British educator and former schools commissioner for London, agrees. “I know many of the schools involved in Solar Schools and am hugely impressed by its impact on community involvement and how it motivates students.” |
| And that’s certainly what they saw at Pendock. As part of their fundraising, the team decided to hold a fun run through the village. They were concerned neighbours might not appreciate muddy children running past their front gates, but how wrong they were. Hundreds of villagers came onto the streets to cheer the children on. The money they raised helped towards the solar target, but the legacy has been far greater than that. The following year they decided to organise the run again and it’s now become something of an annual village event. | And that’s certainly what they saw at Pendock. As part of their fundraising, the team decided to hold a fun run through the village. They were concerned neighbours might not appreciate muddy children running past their front gates, but how wrong they were. Hundreds of villagers came onto the streets to cheer the children on. The money they raised helped towards the solar target, but the legacy has been far greater than that. The following year they decided to organise the run again and it’s now become something of an annual village event. |
| Their experience is echoed by Sue Jepson, deputy head teacher of Barnes Primary School in west London: “Taking part in Solar Schools was an incredible opportunity for our school, and an experience that will benefit us for years to come. Not only are we now enjoying the great financial and environmental benefits of solar panels, but our pupils, staff and parents got a huge amount out of the fundraising process itself.” | Their experience is echoed by Sue Jepson, deputy head teacher of Barnes Primary School in west London: “Taking part in Solar Schools was an incredible opportunity for our school, and an experience that will benefit us for years to come. Not only are we now enjoying the great financial and environmental benefits of solar panels, but our pupils, staff and parents got a huge amount out of the fundraising process itself.” |
| 10:10 has now worked with 50 schools in a diverse range of communities from the Isles of Scilly to Stockton-on-Tees, who have collectively raised over £400,000 for Solar. This October, with support from Good Energy, we’re equipping another 20 schools with our toolkit of on and offline resources and training as they begin their solar journeys. Solar Schools works differently in every school – they really make the project their own – from organising school discos and cake sales to a sponsored bungee jump and seven hour table tennis marathons. | 10:10 has now worked with 50 schools in a diverse range of communities from the Isles of Scilly to Stockton-on-Tees, who have collectively raised over £400,000 for Solar. This October, with support from Good Energy, we’re equipping another 20 schools with our toolkit of on and offline resources and training as they begin their solar journeys. Solar Schools works differently in every school – they really make the project their own – from organising school discos and cake sales to a sponsored bungee jump and seven hour table tennis marathons. |
| It’s not easy – ambitious projects never are. The schools face a number of challenges along the way, least of all convincing sceptics that such a huge fundraising target isn’t crazy. But seeing the panels on the roof makes it all worth it. | It’s not easy – ambitious projects never are. The schools face a number of challenges along the way, least of all convincing sceptics that such a huge fundraising target isn’t crazy. But seeing the panels on the roof makes it all worth it. |
| Sarah Sharrock, a governor and PTA member at Newnham Croft Primary in Cambridge, sums it up perfectly. “It has been an exciting and eventful journey, with its fair share of ups and downs, but it shows how we can work together to make things happen. And in the end, that is how we are going to beat climate change.” | Sarah Sharrock, a governor and PTA member at Newnham Croft Primary in Cambridge, sums it up perfectly. “It has been an exciting and eventful journey, with its fair share of ups and downs, but it shows how we can work together to make things happen. And in the end, that is how we are going to beat climate change.” |
| For information about community energy projects: | For information about community energy projects: |
| It’s worth following Community Energy Fortnight, which starts September 13. CEF was established by the Community Energy Coalition (CEC), which was formed in 2011 by some of the UK’s most influential and trusted institutions and charities such as the Church of England, the Women’s Institute (WI), the National Union of Students (NUS) and the National Trust. | It’s worth following Community Energy Fortnight, which starts September 13. CEF was established by the Community Energy Coalition (CEC), which was formed in 2011 by some of the UK’s most influential and trusted institutions and charities such as the Church of England, the Women’s Institute (WI), the National Union of Students (NUS) and the National Trust. |
| So far in this series ... | So far in this series ... |
| 1. The community supported farm | 1. The community supported farm |
| 2. The bike repair co-operative | 2. The bike repair co-operative |
| 3. The community garden centre | 3. The community garden centre |
| 4. The community forest | 4. The community forest |
| 5. The meat-rearing collective | 5. The meat-rearing collective |
| 6. The owl conservation group | 6. The owl conservation group |
| 7. The neighbours’ community group | 7. The neighbours’ community group |
| 8. The community beer-growing group | 8. The community beer-growing group |
| This article is part of the Live Better Community Project month. In September, we are showcasing 17 community projects from around the UK. On Wednesday 24 September, we will ask you to vote for your favourite project. The project with the most votes will be awarded £1,000 of funding, and two runners-up will each receive funding of £500. One voter chosen at random will receive £150 worth of gift vouchers for Nigel’s Eco Store. Terms and conditions here. | This article is part of the Live Better Community Project month. In September, we are showcasing 17 community projects from around the UK. On Wednesday 24 September, we will ask you to vote for your favourite project. The project with the most votes will be awarded £1,000 of funding, and two runners-up will each receive funding of £500. One voter chosen at random will receive £150 worth of gift vouchers for Nigel’s Eco Store. Terms and conditions here. |
| With thanks to: 10:10; FOE; Project Dirt; Neighbourly; UK Community Foundations; Groundwork; Business in the Community; Federation of City Farms and Community Gardens; the Prince’s Trust; Garden Organic; the Royal Horticultural Society; the RSPB; Keep Wales Tidy; The Wildlife Trusts; and Mind. | With thanks to: 10:10; FOE; Project Dirt; Neighbourly; UK Community Foundations; Groundwork; Business in the Community; Federation of City Farms and Community Gardens; the Prince’s Trust; Garden Organic; the Royal Horticultural Society; the RSPB; Keep Wales Tidy; The Wildlife Trusts; and Mind. |
| Interested in finding out more about how you can live better? Take a look at this month’s Live Better challenge here. | Interested in finding out more about how you can live better? Take a look at this month’s Live Better challenge here. |
| The Live Better Challenge is funded by Unilever; its focus is sustainable living. All content is editorially independent except for pieces labelled advertisement feature. Find out more here. | The Live Better Challenge is funded by Unilever; its focus is sustainable living. All content is editorially independent except for pieces labelled advertisement feature. Find out more here. |