Thornhill Primary School in Cardiff is the first Welsh school to win an Ashden Sustainable School Award for being an exemplar in energy efficiency.
The Ashden Sustainable School Awards are the UK’s leading green energy prize for schools and colleges and recognise educational institutions for their achievements in ‘going green’ and galvanising young people to embrace the energy-saving challenge.
Thornhill Primary was named as one of four winners and received a prize of £3000 at the ceremony held at LSO St Luke’s in London on 21 October. The Awards Ceremony was hosted by broadcast news presenter Lisa Aziz.
The judges were impressed by the school’s willingness to trial new ideas and share the results with others. Thornhill’s determination to reduce carbon emissions to the absolute minimum is shared by a crack squad of young eco-warriors who keep energy wastage to a minimum with their spot checks on whether lights and appliances have been left on in the classroom.
Solar PV, LED lighting, a building management system and more efficient IT facilities mean that electricity consumption has reduced by over a third since 2011/12. Cardiff City Council use Thornhill as a case study of best practice in carbon reduction.
Ashden judges commented:
“We found Thornhill Primary School to be a real innovator. What’s more, Thornhill is willing to share ideas with other schools and help others to make the same kind of savings.”
Paul Tucker, Head Teacher of Thornhill Primary School said:
“We’re delighted to win this award and with further projects planned like rainwater harvesting and more solar panels on our roof, our aim is to become as close to a carbon zero school as possible.
“We need to invest in our children’s future and, by safeguarding the environment for them and helping them understand our impact on the planet, we can provide a safe and healthy world for them.”
The other winners of the 2015 Ashden Sustainable School Awards are Home Farm Primary School in Colchester, Marton Primary School in Lincolnshire, and North Warwickshire & Hinckley College in Nuneaton.
Now in their 15th year, the Ashden Awards champion practical, local energy solutions that cut carbon, reduce poverty and improve people’s lives in the UK and developing world.
