The government has enshrined the principals that it wants schools to adopt into eight different "doorways" that it called The National Framework. While schools have until 2020 to try to comply with the National Framework, there are ways in which they can start to get on the right track right away. There are many products already on the market, which will help schools to improve sustainability. Here, we will look at the eight "doorways" in the National Framework with a spotlight on some of the products and services available to help schools achieve their objectives.
Doorway One: Food and Drink
By 2020, the Government would like all schools to be model suppliers of healthy, local and sustainable food and drink. Food should, where possible, be produced or prepared on site. Schools should show strong commitments to the environment, social responsibility and animal welfare, They should also seek to increase their involvement with local suppliers. Food and drink contributes not only to pupil wellbeing but also to learning and attainment as a whole. An unhealthy diet contributes to obesity and poor health and is proven to lead to poor concentration and performance in the classroom.
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Rational's multi-award-winning SelfCooking Center is ideal for education catering as it is designed to save energy, cut running costs and to have minimal impact on the environment. The SelfCooking Controlmonitors and optimises the cooking process every second of the cooking time.
This not only produces perfect results, it also uses only just as much power as is needed to cook the food - which means it saves 60% of energy compared to traditional cooking equipment. Thanks to market-leading technology, including smart fan controls, it also saves 15% of energy compared to traditional combi-steamers. For more information freephone 0800 389 2944 or see www.rational-UK.com
Doorway Two: Energy and Water
By 2020, the Government would like all schools to be models of energy efficiency, renewable energy use and water management. They should take the lead in their communities by showcasing wind, solar and bio-fuel energy, low-energy equipment, freshwater conservation, use of rainwater and other measures.
The rising demand for energy and water across the planet is storing up problems for future generations. Increased energy use creates greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. Increased use of water is threatening the world's underground aquifers, contributing to water scarcity in many parts of the world. For this reason, energy and water conservation are two essential areas for schools to tackle.
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Cambridge-based, Sitec Infrastructure Services Ltd, has been appointed as a UK approved installer and distributor of ‘QR5', an award-winning eco-friendly wind turbine.
Designed and manufactured by renewable energy solutions provider, uietRevolution, in South Wales, the QR5 is a revolutionary wind turbine, which is capable of producing energy in built-up areas, where wind directions change frequently and where quiet, vibration free operation is critical.
The unique vertical axis design of the turbines means they can be installed onto existing buildings or ‘new builds'; or as a stand-alone turbine and, unlike traditional horizontal turbines, can collect wind from all directions to provide renewable energy to properties in urban, commercial and industrial settings alike. QR5s are already proving extremely popular with schools and universities, government buildings, large retailers and shopping and leisure centres throughout the UK. For enquiries, please contact: Chris Evans at Sitec Infrastructure Services on 01223 815633.
Doorway Three: Travel and Traffic
By 2020 the Government would like all schools to be models of sustainable travel, where vehicles are used only when absolutely necessary and where there are exemplary facilities for healthier, less polluting or less dangerous modes of transport.
The rising number of vehicles on the roads leads to congestion, increased road accidents and pollution. During term time cars on the school run account for 16% of early morning traffic and a measurable increase in pollutants such as carbon monoxide near schools. It also decreases pupils independent mobility, reduces their amount of daily exercise and detracts from their awareness of road safety.
Walking and cycling offers a sustainable alternative, providing a valuable boost to pupil fitness levels, increasing pupil concentration and instilling positive habits for life.
Doorway Four: Purchasing and Waste
By 2020, the Government would like all schools to be models of sustainable procurement, using goods and services of high environmental and ethical standards from local sources where practicable, and increasing value for money by reusing, repairing and recycling as many goods as possible.
Our society generates an enormous amount of waste, the majority of which is just thrown away. Waste, and the culture that encourages it, can be tackled through sustainable consumption and a philosophy of 'reduce, reuse and recycle'. As well as reducing costs, this approach can support markets for ethical goods and services and provide an interesting focus for learning.
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Winterhalter Chemicals, the consumables division of Winterhalter, is now offering chefs and caterers a free audit of their cleaning and hygiene consumption to track down where savings can be made.
The company has made great strides in the last couple of years in reducing energy consumption in its dishwasher and glass washer range. It has introduced developments such as Energy+ (which recycles the heat of washwater and the normally wasted steam), ReTemp (which washes glasses perfectly at temperatures as low as 40C), and 'intelligent' rack and flight washers which automatically switch off sections of the machine if they sense there are no items in that section.
For further details, see www.winterhalter.co.uk, or email info@winterhalter.co.uk.
Doorway Five: Buildings and Grounds
By 2020 the Government would like all school buildings - old and new - to make visible use of sustainable design features and, as opportunities arise, to choose building technologies, interior furnishings and equipment with a low impact on the environment. We would like all schools to develop their grounds in ways that help pupils learn about the natural world and sustainable living, for example, through food growing and biodiversity conservation.
A sustainable 3school, including buildings and grounds, provides an excellent teaching and learning resource for staff and pupils. Sustainable design principles, sustainable technologies, sustainable interior furnishings and sustainable environmental management provide a living working example of sustainable living.
Product Focus:
- Monodraught SunPipes and Sola-boost natural ventilation systems have been used extensively throughout the Seaside Primary School in Lancing, West Sussex to improve children's wellbeing. The Monodraught Sola-boost natural ventilation systems were chosen as part of a thermal model for the building, to work in tandem with the underfloor heating. If sensors detect that temperatures and/or CO2 levels in the classrooms have exceeded maximum pre-determined settings, the Sola-boost units automatically respond by bringing in fresh, natural air from the outside. Sensors also control electric lighting in the seven classrooms, each of which is fitted with two Monodraught SunPipes. The sensors ensure that lights are only switched on when natural daylight from the SunPipes reduces to a predetermined lux level. For more details see: www.monodraught.com
- Hager has produced an energy saving guide. It identifies major areas of electrical consumption and outlines some energy saving solutions. The guide outlines several different solutions. It covers simple DIN rail mounted devices such as time switches, lighting dimmers and metering. It also details some simple lighting control systems using motion, presence and absence detection and the benefits of combining this with daylight harvesting for even greater savings. For a free copy of Hager's "Energy Saving Solutions" guide download from the website www.hager.co.uk.
- Students at St Benedict's Catholic and Performing Arts College in Derby are looking forward to benefiting from a more sustainable and affordable source of energy provided by ground source heat pumps that have been supplied into their new changing room block. The pump is fed through a Thermia Duo 10 unit, which provides heating through two 200m ground loops which have been installed horizontally in the land outside the changing block. By combining the heat pumps with the wind turbine and solar panels, it means the changing block will be self sufficient and can provide its own electricity and energy, creating a carbon neutral building. For more information visit the website www.ecoheatpumps.co.uk
Doorway Six: Inclusion and Participation
By 2020 the Government would like all schools to be models of social inclusion, enabling all pupils to participate fully in school life while instilling a long-lasting respect for human rights, freedoms, cultures and creative expression.
The ability of communities to live together peacefully depends on their capacity to value difference and diversity. Schools can promote community cohesion by providing an inclusive, welcoming atmosphere that values everyone's participation and contribution, and challenges prejudice and injustice in all its forms and sources.
Inclusion and participation are important goals of sustainable development learning - seeking to replace national, cultural and individual divides with respect, care and understanding.
Product focus:
Foneclub (www.foneclub.org.uk) is a free UK scheme that enables schools to recycle old mobile phones for cash. Through Foneclub, pupils are encouraged to collect as many old mobile phones - from friends, relatives etc. - and hand them in for recycling at school in exchange for a small reward.
Previous examples have included exchanging old mobile phones for an ‘own clothes' day, school disco or fun teacher forfeit. The more phones that are recycled, the greater the reward can be - and Foneclub will donate £2.50 per handset for a charity of the school's choice. Not only does it give pupils a sense of achievement at the end of the programme, it also raises awareness of the importance of recycling potentially toxic items like mobile phones.
Doorway Seven: Local Wellbeing
By 2020 the Government would like all schools to be models of good corporate citizenship within their local areas, enriching their educational mission with activities that improve the environment and quality of life of local people.
Communities face enormous pressures in many parts of the country. With their central locations and often extensive facilities, schools can act as hubs of learning and catalysts for change in their local communities, contributing to the environment and quality of life while strengthening key relationships.
Being involved in community projects that seek to improve the local area can give pupils a sense of empowerment and confidence that they can make a difference to their lives and communities. It also allows them to experience how decisions are made at first hand, and to develop applied skills that complement classroom study.
Doorway Eight: Global Dimension
By 2020 the Government would like all schools to be models of good global citizenship, enriching their educational mission with activities that improve the lives of people living in other parts of the world.
Sustainable development cannot be achieved in isolation. The air we breathe, the food we eat and the clothes we wear link us to people, environments and economies all over the world. There is a global dimension to every aspect of our lives and communities.
Challenges like global poverty and climate change jeopardise our future prosperity, and it is increasingly important to develop young people's understanding of such significant issues to develop a generation of globally aware citizens.
For more information visit: www.teachernet.gov.uk/sustainableschools/framework
Free resources can be found on: www.wwf.org.uk/what_we_do/working_with_schools/about_one_planet_schools
