Eco-Schools Network Minutes

NOTES OF THE ECO SCHOOLS

NETWORK MEETING ON Thursday 5 MARCH 2009 AT 4.15 PM

Present: Jenny Talbot, Karen Brian, Julia Barraclough, Julie Smith,
Judith Smythe, Lesley Howell, Rob Deaville, Alison Plant, Karen Davies, Ian Wykes, Liam Walsh.
Apologies: Roz Butterworth - Perton First School
Sarah Hibbitts - St Austin's
Jan Mellor - Staffs County Council Healthy Schools Co-ordinator
Alison Plant - St Leonard's Dunston
Jo Perry - Staffs Wildlife Trust
Mark Parkinson and Team - Staffs County Council Waste Management
Simon Tracey - European Textiles
Presentation on Climate Change given by:

Ian Wykes, Head of Climate Change Team, SCC
Liam Walsh, Head of Energy Management Unit, SCC

Ian talked about his work tackling climate change. He works for the County Council. He emphasised that schools produce a significant proportion of SCC's CO₂ emissions! A comprehensive website has been developed for Staffordshire called Staffordshire OC₃. School and education based elements of this need to be extended. Our Eco-Schools Network may be able to help here with case studies for instance (Ian and Karen to liaise).

There is an interesting link with Staffs County Council a series of islands in the Pacific, a place called Tuvalu. This may be of interest to schools.

Liam discussed critical issues for schools such as energy procurement and rising costs of energy - Government is now pushing for more energy efficient buildings, especially focusing on the public sector.

Liam talked about Display Energy Certificates. Liam and his team have so far been into around 30 schools, mainly in Stafford area. A rating is given and then recommendations collated for schools to act upon. Liam's theory is that in 80% of schools there could be a 20% saving in energy with no capital input - simply by "turning off". A typical secondary school might spend #2,000 on energy in one week in a cold spell!

Energy saving measures can have very short pay back periods, with savings soon being made that can be re-circulated back into the school on energy saving measures or other educational needs.

Ofsted will shortly be looking for the DEC school energy rating.

From April 1 this year a Carbon Reduction Commitment is being introduced. This is based on a carbon trading scheme. An allocation of carbon will be made and anything used about the limit will have to be bought in addition.

Schools will have to have available accurate data.

The County Council will be in a 'carbon league table' and will either pay into or receive a reward dependent on their performance - schools will be critical in this. How SCC tackles this with schools is yet to be decided.

School electricity usage has leaped phenomenally and is increasing - ICT suites, whiteboards etc etc.

Questions:
When should we switch off?
If modern electrical items are going to be off for more than 11 seconds - TURN it off! (eg whiteboards).

National Geographic channel has some very good videos for use in class.

Are there any UK supply sensor lights/switches available for schools at low coat/free?
There are some sensor systems that have a default setting eg can stay on for an hour. SCC's Tony Sloane - may know about this. Tel 0300 111 8000 (switchboard)

Where can schools go to for advice?
Energy Management Advice available via an online facility, schools will need to subscribe to an energy contract via Liam. Tel 0300 111 8000 or email

What funding is there?
CSEP (community sustainable energy programme) funding - (includes Primary Schools) for energy audit feasibility study. Look at website.

Other resources?
There are many resources to support schools on climate change.
eg Stafford Borough info at welcome.asp?id=6474
eg Staffs County Council, info at http://www.staffsoc3.org.uk/
eg 'Schools Energy Challenge' resources kit - tel 08700 622 882
eg Teachernet http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/sustainableschools/

Are there any schools where Head/Bursar/Head of Governors are committed to talking climate change?
Ian is looking for one or two schools to work with to help develop Climate Change Beacons! He would be able to help with funding and support/advice.

Contact Ian directly for further details, but can you let me know too.
Ian.wykes@staffordshire.gov.uk tel 0300 111 8000

Liam is also looking for a school with a DEC rating of between F or D who has improved energy efficiency without spending any money? Eg by switching off/awareness raising etc. Are you that school? If so please contact Liam.
Wildlife News

The Staffordshire Wildlife Trust has lots of schools/education activity going on - have a look at: www.staffs-wildlife.org.uk/

SBC's Sustainable and Healthy Communities Team are busy on their Local Nature Reserves and schools are encouraged to visit and enjoy these, events will take place on LNR's through the Spring and Summer - have a look at: welcome.asp?id=156
Waste Management:
Mark Parkinson had asked Karen to promote the Recycle Now! Website with plenty of helpful info, tips, resources etc.
www.recyclenow.com/schools
European Textiles
Simon asked that I informed the group that his organisation are now doing talks on recycling for any school that would like to recycle with them.
Simon will be leaving soon though, and the new contact is Jenny
Cull (jennycull123@aol.com) who will attend the next meeting in his place.
Thanks to Simon for his help over the last few years - and good luck!
European Textile Recycling (ETR) can be contacted as follows:
01543 574832, 07891 345 965
www.european-recycling.com
Groundwork
Julia aims to work with a couple of schools in the region, to support schools
who have not got far on sustainable schools! Julia will send a flier for Karen to circulate.
Feedback from schools
- St Leonard's, Dunston
  - seed potatoes/British Potato Council
  - putting in a hedge and will incorporate saplings in this to be planted on Good Friday by families
  - dead hedge.
  - climate change videos
  - recycling plastic bags to make new bags, to sell to pay for light sensors in corridors
  - green gorillas video
  - making a sensory/adventure area garden
  - need new recycling containers and wheeled bins
- Barnfields
  - quite new to this
  - have an Eco Team and an Eco Plan, now met 3x
  - event, review done today.
  - have looked at heating as got an "F" in the Dec
  - veg plots dug, big family event recently
  - recycling flag stones
  - light monitors x2 1 class
  - keen to get sustainable schools in curriculum
- St Leonard's Stafford
  - working parties in woodland garden.
  - Ofsted bowled over by the garden!!
  - planted early carrots
  - bird box erected in conservation area
  - working partly to be held end March
  - recycling paper/plastic and plant to compost - fruit waste
  - Breathing Spaces funding phase IV applied for to promote their "breathing space" will have a Friday Fun Day, Beetle Hunt bark rubbing, newts if successful! Part of Springwatch - will know in April
  - Rob is running Nature Club every lunchtime!.
SBC/Sustainable and Healthy Communities Update
Have a look at www.staffordbc.gov.uk/sd for lots of current projects.
We are especially promoting Fairtrade Fortnight (we have just successfully submitted a bid for Fairtrade Borough status!). Schools can become Fairtrade Schools too - see Fairtrade Foundation website.
AOB
* Blue Peter - save the bee campaign website, can get free seeds to attract insects - see Blue Peter website
* Karen to ask Derek or Kate Russell to next meeting to update on Staffs CC work on sustainable schools. Karen to contact Peter Traves to seek feedback on his view of sustainable schools/Eco-schools and seek his own support.
* Karen to ask SBC Waste Management/Recycling Officer to talk about Borough Council work
* Elliott the Eco-Bat has gone to visit St Leonard's in Stafford c/o Rob Deaville

Date of next meeting: Thursday May 21^st at 4.15 pm at Weston Road High

I look forward to seeing you there!! Karen

kdavies@staffordbc.gov.uk 01785 619408

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