The winning schools in the B&NES Energy Saving Teams (BEST) competition have been announced, with St Saviour’s Infant School in Bath sharing joint first prize.
11 local primary schools took part in the competition, which encouraged teachers and pupils to work together save energy through simple, everyday changes in behaviour.
It was run by Bath & North East Somerset Council working with environmental consultancy Resource Futures.
The schools had to save as much electricity as they could over a two-week period.
Prizes were awarded for the best campaign, the biggest reduction in energy use and the smallest amount of electricity used per pupil.
“I learned that things run out and we have to look after the world,” said one pupil who took part in the competition.
Midsomer Norton Primary School and St Saviour’s Infant School in Bath are joint first in the best campaign category.
At Midsomer Norton Primary School, the pupils went above expectations by extending the competition out to parents and even the nearby nursery.
St Saviour’s Infant School included cooks, cleaners and caretakers in the campaign and worked to engage even very young pupils.
St Julian’s Primary School in Wellow and Twerton Infants’ School were awarded joint first for making the largest single reduction in energy use, achieving a 30% reduction compared to the previous month.
Paulton Junior School won the prize for using the least electricity per pupil, a minimal 5kWh of electricity per pupil during the campaign.
“Congratulations to all 11 schools that took part,” said the Council’s sustainability officer, Amy Dartington.
“All used creative ways to engage the school community, linked the work to the curriculum and got to grips with measuring and recording energy use.
“Pupils really got enthused and motivated, creating posters, letters and even songs to get their message out.
“By using data from smart meters, pupils practiced maths skills, and related the project to science and geography lessons, English and design and technology.”
All the schools that took part aim to carry on monitoring energy and Midsomer Norton plans to instigate regular no computer days.
Prizes include visits to local environmental education centres and sustainable education resources for schools.